Before Ducati made their Motocross debut at the opening round of the Italian championship, Paolo Ciabatti spoke to the media and confirmed in 2025, they will race the MX2 Italian Championship with a 250cc machine. This will likely see them race the MX2 World Championship in 2026 provided everything goes according to plan.
Ciabatti also confirmed they are aiming to contest the AMA Supercross series in 2026. Ducati also hope to make the bike available to dealerships between May and June in 2025.
Paolo Ciabatti (General Director of Ducati Corse offroad):
In 2025 we will participate in the Italian Championship in the MX2 class. The work has already started. In the meantime, we continue to pursue the objectives already declared: continuing the development of the 450 Desmo through testing and participation in the MX1 Championship to arrive in MXGP in 2025 with the Maddii team, which will manage the bike. We also aim to take part in the US Supercross in 2026. As regards production, we will ensure that the 450 is available in dealerships between May and June of next year.
Antonio Cairoli:
“The project is very vast and being part of it is fantastic. Alessandro Lupino is easy to work with because we are very good friends, so we have a similar way of developing the bike. The vehicle is relatively young and obtaining positive performances right away is very satisfying.”
An outline of Ducati’s expected timeline is below:
2024: Develop their 450cc machine by contesting the Italian MX championship with Alessandro Lupino. Wild card events for Antonio Cairoli not ruled out.
2025: To contest the full MXGP World Championship.
2025: To contest the Italian MX2 series.
2026: To contest the AMA Supercross series (450SX class).
2026: Likely to enter the MX2 World Championship.
Image: Ducati
