Pierre Terblanche Leaves Ducati
Ducati's head designer has left the company to pursue other projects. Pierre Terblanche told Motorcycle News, "I’d like to do some new things. I’ll have a studio of my own, and while I’ll still do bikes I’d also like to work on some other things, maybe boats."
The South African designer joined Ducati in the 1990s and penned the controversial 999, as well as the more critically lauded SportClassic line and the Hypermotard.
Terblanche added that, "At heart I am a really a designer, not a manager, and this will give me the chance to do new things.”
Whether he goes the way of ex-Rolls-Royce designer Marek Djordjevic or former Aston Martin designer Henrik Fisker is anybody's guess, but let's hope Terblanche has many more distinctive, upmarket, and potentially controversial creations up his sleeve.
Photo © Ducati
Comments
Oh Pierre you will surely be missed. Au revoir
Although hated (reviled?) on by many traditional Ducatisti, I think Terblanche did force Ducati to take a hard look at functionality in addition to form and design.
So whether one bids Terblanche farewell or good riddance, I think Ducati is now at a better place in the post-Terblanche era than it was pre-Terblanche.
TEvo,
Personally, I never understood why the 999’s styling was so unpopular. The bodywork, particularly the side fairings, is clean and striking, and the bike still looks distinctive. The success of the SportClassic line is not to be underestimated, either; it’s difficult to combine form and function so successfully, and Terblanche’s design achieved both.
I’m very curious to see where he goes.
Basem
Whats up with this guy striking a pose? And have those ears been wind tunnel tested….?
It would seem Massimo Tamburini casts a big shadow and Terblanche had big shoes to fill in designing the successor to the iconic 916.
Although a more functional and better performing bike in just about every way to the 916/996/998, the 999’s styling cues seemed to have put off a lot of the traditionalists.
Of course, now with the 1098, despite the return to the single sided swingarm and dual round exhausts, there are “traditionalists” who say it now looks like a Japanese bikes.
As they say, you can’t keep everyone happy…
Regardless, I don’t think designers of Terblanche’s caliber stay unemployed for long.
Terblance is the greatest designer of all time IMHO. He is the reason I got into motorcycling in the first place. The first time I saw a 999 I was in love. Now I own one. I wish him the best of luck where ever he goes and look forward to seeing more designs of his whether it be a bike or boat.