Ducati. Still a name to provoke goosebumps in the motorbike world. Much like the word ‘tench’ does to anglers, probably

It’s not how fast you go, but how you go fast.
James Leach

There’s the motorbike Grand Prix circus and there’s the Superbikes. The difference is this; Grand Prix riders take packed lunches to the races, and an apple for the marshalls. Superbike riders go without underwear, stick the Vs up at people and grope girls.

Now EA have gone at it with the fevered enthusiasm of Woody Allen at a school open day. First off, they sussed that the sport is visually exciting. Next are the brain-churning sounds of Ducatis and the like having their nuts revved off, mixed with abrasive rock music. And thirdly there’s the feel of bike-riding.

The blurring apex two inches from your boot, the slip of the wheel rear as you dump 150 bhp through it at 56 degrees. The threat of kissing more tarmac than the Pope. The helmet jokes you just can’t escape from. It’s an intense experience, racing, and dammit if EA haven’t got the excitement of the competition pretty spot on.

All the proper riders are here, including Britain’s very own bug-eyed, icy-nerved hero, Carl Fogarty. And you can be him, too. You can be any of the riders, ride any of the bikes and go to any of the 12 circuits worldwide where Superbike happens.

The bikes look right and the circuits are well-modelled. But it looks unlike most other racing games. Peer closer and you’ll see why – attention to detail. There are proper skies, superb shadows which fall in the right places and lengthen at the right times, and a wealth of views. This is a racing game but it also makes a damn fine spectator sport, too.