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The device at the centre of MotoGP's 2020 technical war

Ducati stole a march on the field last year with its 'holeshot' device, but as the other manufacturers attempt to catch up, the Italian marque may already be moving the goalposts

MotoGP's six manufacturers have already started to draw their battle lines in the sand for 2020, with the first three-day test ahead of the new season done and dusted. We saw evolutions and revolutions of motorcycles, each team keen to keep their winter progress tightly under wraps. But the 2020 technical war already looks like it has its focus.

At last year's Sepang test, Ducati's works Desmosedicis were spotted running a switch on the bike's triple clamp. This turned out to be how it activated its latest secret - a holeshot device. However, this was not the device's debut. Jack Miller raced with it on the Primac Ducati from the Japanese Grand Prix in 2018, but it went by unnoticed, which left Ducati to steal a march on everybody.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.