Spy photographers have provided us with the first glimpse of the new 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R, a 1000cc version of our recently-crowned 2018 MOBO Motorcycle of the Year. Designed to meet WSBK homologation requirements, the V4 R will form the basis of Ducati’s Superbike racing efforts for the foreseeable future. This particular motorcycle shows signs of being a racing spec version of the V4 R rather than the street legal production model, based on the presence of data acquisition components, the look of the rear subframe, lever guards, the carbon fiber faring and the lack of lights and mirrors.

Right off the bat, we can see the V4 R has a different fairing design, with a pair of gill-like cutouts on the side (we can only see the right side, but we’ll assume the left side matches unlike the gills on the BMW S1000RR.) The openings are farther forward than the single gap on the 1103cc Panigale V4, and we’re curious whether this is for aerodynamic purposes or for heat dissipation. Heat issues were one of the few complaints we had about the V4 during our recent shootout against the Aprilia RSV4 RF.

The fairing also sports a number of mounting points which may allow for the addition of aerodynamic winglets which are now allowed for WSBK racing.

In the close-up above, you can also see what looks like a dry clutch which would make mores sense for a racing set up than a street bike.

We can also see a new exhaust system on the test bike. Instead of the coil of heat-shielded pipes behind the rider’s heel, we see through to the inner portion of the single-sided swingarm. Below it, we see the tip of the exhaust and a more compact pipe that may also be the cause of that bulge in the bottom of the fairing.

Also noticeable are the forged magnesium Marchesini M9RS wheels and Brembo brakes.

The Panigale V4 R race bike is reportedly going to make its public debut this weekend, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro taking it out for some demonstration laps at the British Superbike round at Brands Hatch. As for the production model 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R, look for it next month at EICMA. We’ll have more information here on Motorcycle.com as it becomes available.