Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup begins this weekend at the opening round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park with a record entry of 52 riders - the most ever seen for for a BSB supporting one-make series.

The Cup takes place over eight rounds and sixteen races at circuits including, Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch. This year the championship will include the new 959 Panigale for the first time as well as the 899 Panigale that featured last year.

The new 959 Panigale features a 955cc Superquadro engine boasting 157hp showing an increase in horsepower over the 899 Panigale of six per cent and an increase in torque of eight per cent. The 959 Panigale has some styling changes including a wider front fairing, new tail unit, bigger air intakes and higher windscreen. The 959 Panigale also benefits from Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), Riding Mode technology including Ride-by-Wire, triple-stage Bosch ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC).

The 2017 Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup welcomes back some familiar faces including Peter Hasler (AOR/YESSS Electrical Racing) and Mark Cheetham (Highsparks Motorsport) who have been ever present competitors since its inception in 2010.

This season should see a new championship winner as the holder Leon Morris will not compete this year and for the first time a former champion will not line-up on the grid. The main title contenders will be Sean Neary (Zoek Racing Team) and Rob Guiver (Ducati Romford/Hyside Racing) who finished second and third respectively but will be pushed to the line by the likes of Phil Atkinson (Highsparks Motorsport) and Jonathan Railton (Boast Plumbing).

The Ducati Cup will again be sponsored by Ducati TriOptions, the brand name for Ducati Personal Contract Purchase . Ducati Performance has been added to the series name promoting official Ducati accessories many of which will be seen on bikes racing on track and are also available to purchase through your Ducati dealer