When the 749r was launched in 2003 it was the most advanced, highest performance, twin-cylinder production motorcycle to come out of Ducati's Bologna factory.

Ducati were determined to re-enter the world of Supersports racing with the 749r and so packed it with all the equipment needed to be competitive. Standard equipment included a slipper clutch, upside-down Öhlins forks, radial brakes, and a larger tank and to reduce weight, extensive use of magnesium, carbon fiber and titanium.

After a 20 year gap I returned to biking in 2001. I bought a new 748 Biposta and rode for three years and about 2000 miles. It seemed such a step up from the bikes I had ridden in the early 80's and it took me some time to get used to. I went on three track days, Cadwell Park, Rockingham and Brands Hatch in an attempt to get a better understanding of the bike and have some fun. The target of a knee down was achieved by the end of the day although when it happened it caught be by surprise. In early 2004 with its third anniversary looming, I traded it in for a 749r. With 118 hp as standard it had an extra 20 hp over the 748 and went accordingly.

Although I was riding it on the road I was not enjoying the experience as much as the track days. With the first service due I took it to Pro Twins, who had supplied both bikes and done all the previous servicing. Ducati had provided an optional race pack for those wishing to enter SuperSport racing, which added a full race Termingnoli exhaust, a lot of engine internals and a special racing EPROM to bring it all together. I took the plunge and ordered the kit, which was duly installed. Now I had 140 hp. I had expected the power to come in lumps at high revs, making the bike difficult to ride. I could not have been more wrong; the power comes in from low revs and builds smoothly until max power at around 11,000 rpm where, although not the limit of the engine I have prudently marked as my rev limit.

Now I had what I had wanted a great looking powerful track bike. All I needed now was a track to test it on. This is where Tofsracing comes in. They run European track days and have a close relationship with Pro Twins, which means a lot of the track day riders are customers of Pro Twins and invariably ride Ducati's.

I booked Brno in the Czech Republic and my attempts to learn how to ride the 749r properly began.