Ducati is in a moment of absolute splendor when it comes to racing, and beyond. After the countless successes achieved in MotoGP and Superbike last season, he is preparing to win everything in 2023, leaving only crumbs to the others. Taking advantage of this positive wave, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer today made it official that from 2024 it will also race in Motocross.
This is a historic step for Ducati. A very important first time, with the precise intention of creating motocross vehicles so competitive as to act as a launching pad for the road range which will be launched over the next few months.
The project conceived by Ducati will be multi-year, so it is reasonable to expect innovations from year to year both from a sporting and road point of view.
The prototype that Ducati has been working on for two years now will make its debut in the Italian Motocross Championship. Meanwhile, one of the certainties is linked to the pilot who will be the test driver of the vehicle: none other than the 9-time Motocross world champion Tony Cairoli.
Photo by: Ducati Corse
Ducati MX
The former KTM rider will make his experience and talent available to continue to refine the vehicle and make it increasingly competitive. Together with the multiple world champion there will also be the talented Alessandro Lupino, eight-time Italian champion and winner of the Motocross of Nations (2021 edition), also signed as a rider and test driver.
Antonio ‘Tony’ Cairoli declared: “I am extremely happy to become part of the Ducati universe, which has always been a symbol of Italianness in the world, and to undertake this exciting new adventure, in an entirely Italian project. To be able to make my contribution to the development of the Borgo Panigale cross bike, it is a dream that becomes reality and for me it is a source of profound pride.”
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, declared: “I am proud to announce Ducati’s entry into Motocross. A completely new world for Ducati, into which we want to bring our talent in the design of lightweight motorcycles, with excellent components and of high performance which – above all – can excite more and more motorcyclists”.
“Just as we believe that the track is the best laboratory for developing and testing the bikes which will then be made available to enthusiasts. It is the reason why we decided to collaborate with an undisputed champion like Tony Cairoli who, together with his passion and commitment of many of us here in Borgo Panigale, will contribute to making Ducati capable of offering enthusiasts very high performance products even off-road, just as we have demonstrated our ability to do on asphalt.”
“This project is made possible by the excellent results of the Company in recent years, and confirms our desire to expand our presence towards new worlds, speak to new motorcyclists and therefore grow the community of Ducatisti”.
The team that will be entrusted with the vehicle is Maddii Racing. The team has signed a multi-year agreement with Ducati to become the reference structure for the Borgo Panigale company’s racing activities in the Motocross sector. The team’s debut with Ducati, as mentioned, will take place in the 2024 Italian Motocross championship.
This move by Ducati, i.e. entering Motocross racing, comes in a very happy period also from the point of view of sales and investments. According to the leaders of the Bolognese company, the time has come to explore new terrain to expand and take a share of the still unexplored market.
Photo by: Ducati Corse
Ducati MX
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