We are still a few days away from the official presentation of Ducati’s new motocross bike, and in the past few months, we have witnessed a climax that has – and is – driving all motorcycle fans crazy.
It all started with the first rumors on the motocross tracks, then came the big confirmation: Tony Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino as test riders, followed by a series of social media content that is slowly revealing more and more about the bike.
The anticipation for this new Ducati challenge is high, partly because conquering victory in off-road races is a very ambitious project, and also because seeing a completely Italian project flourish always brings great pride to Italians.
In this article, we will tell you everything we know about Ducati’s new motocross bike.
At first, it was just rumors, then the first rumors emerged among motocross riders and track operators, where someone swore they had seen the bike on the track. Furthermore, among insiders, the arrival of a Ducati specialist was a given.
During the Rallylegend in San Marino, in an interview with La Gazzetta, Antonio Cairoli stated that he had had some conversations with Ducati, without revealing much. We already knew that the manufacturer from Borgo Panigale was developing a motocross bike, but the collaboration with the Sicilian champion seemed, apparently, a distant thing. With this news, the rumors are confirmed: Ducati officially enters the world of motocross and does so with a very special test rider, Antonio Cairoli. The Sicilian rider decided to embark on this ambitious journey with the Borgo Panigale factory as a test rider and perhaps also as a rider, who knows.
Entering the specialized off-road sector is a strategically important decision and commitment for Ducati, made possible by the successes achieved in recent years. The choice underlines the determination to expand the brand’s presence in previously unexplored territories, offering the opportunity for new young riders to approach the prestigious Borgo Panigale brand and become an integral part of the vast Ducatisti community.
After a weekend of testing in Sicily, photos were posted on social media by Ducati and the two test riders Antonio Carioli and Alessandro Lupino, showing little more than a black fender and some shape.
Although no technical details of the bike were revealed, the public went crazy, with hundreds of comments on various posts.
In Bolonha, during the MotoGP event – which we attended in person – Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali announced the dates for the official presentation of the Ducati motocross. The event will take place in Madonnna di Campiglio and Ducati will present the MotoGP and WSBK teams, as well as the new team that will participate in the Italian Motocross Championship 2024.
Meanwhile, after the news of the official presentation, the excitement on Borgo Panigale’s social media continues. It’s showtime: Antonio Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino squeeze the new single-cylinder bike between jumps and parabolic turns at full speed. The shape and some details of the new project are becoming increasingly clear, including the characteristic roar.
Just two days before Christmas, Ducati announces the birth of the new competition unit: Ducati Corse Off-Road, with Paolo Ciabatti as General Manager. Needless to say, the company in Borgo Panigale is committed to taking its work seriously, with a high-level team in place and high expectations.
So all that’s left is to wait for more clues on the internet, or wait for the official presentation in Madonna di Campiglio.
