Prior to Ducati’s entry into Motocross at the initial round of the Italian championship, Paolo Ciabatti addressed the media, confirming their participation in the 2025 MX2 Italian Championship with a 250cc machine. This move sets the stage for their potential entry into the 2026 MX2 World Championship, pending a smooth execution of their plans.
Ciabatti also revealed Ducati’s intention to compete in the AMA Supercross series in 2026. Additionally, Ducati aims to make the bike accessible to dealerships between May and June of 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.