Former Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi Ducati MotoGP bikes sell for a combined £600k at Silverstone auction

A pair of former factory Ducati Grand Prix bikes once raced by Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi have sold for a combined £603,750 during an auction at the recent Silverstone Festival weekend.

The most expensive of the two was Stoner’s GP7 machine, built as part of his 2007 championship-winning season. It sold for £402,500 – making it one of the most expensive motorcycles to ever be sold at an auction in the UK.

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It was powered by a 799cc, 90-degree V4, Desmodromic DOHC engine that produced in the region of 200bhp. This particular example also features a trellis frame that was used as part of that year’s racing season – still wearing a scrutineering sticker from the Spanish round of the championship.

The GP7 weighed 148kg dry and took 11 victories that season. Ten went to Stoner, with teammate Capirossi taking a single win – finishing the season in seventh place.

It’s currently wearing a pair of 17in rims to make tyre fitment easier, however the original 16.5in wheels came as part of the purchase package, too. It’s also recently been recommissioned by Ducati expert Dave Allenby and can be ridden as part of parades and demonstrations without the need for factory support.

Elsewhere, Capirossi’s larger 989cc 2003 Desmosedici GP3 also sold for £201,250, with both bikes purchased by one affluent international buyer. Like the GP7, this machine is in running order and could be ridden if desired.

The GP3 is a significant bike in Ducati’s history, as it was the year the Italian brand made their return to the Grand Prix premier class. Piloted by Capirossi, it took one victory in its debut year, with the brand finishing second in the constructors’ world championship.

“We are more than delighted with the result of these two MotoGP bikes that sold today and how apt that they should sell at Silverstone, which is the home of the British MotoGP,” Motorcycle Manager at Iconic Auctioneers, Mark Bryan said. “They have been sold to an international buyer, which just goes to the show the global reach of our marketing.”

The racing machines were sold as part of a larger auction featuring 34 bikes. Lots included everything from an MV Agusta Superveloce 800 signed by 15-time Grand Prix world champion Giacomo Agostini, to a 1971 Benelli Hurricane 65 minibike, with all of them passing under the gavel on Sunday, August 25.

A further 170 luxury cars were also available for purchase across the event, with a limited edition Indian Challenger RR King of the Baggers track bike failing to sell.

It’s not the first time this year that both Ducati racers have been up for grabs, with the pair previously appearing at the Iconic Auctioneers Spring Motorcycle Sale at the Shuttleworth Collection on April 7. It was hoped they would fetch up to a combined £700,000, however both failed to sell.

The next opportunity to purchase or auction a bike with Iconic Auctioneers will come at the NEC Classic Motor Show on November 10. Visit their website for more.