Triumph is not the only brand that will push its boundaries towards the MXGP. Ducati has been working in complete secrecy over the past two years on a prototype that will make its debut in the Italian motocross championship next year and for which 9-time MX world champion Antonio Cairoli has been recruited as a test rider.
Developing a prototype at the highest level for MX motorsport and then developing a series of models for the ordinary consumer, that in a nutshell is Ducati’s latest strategy, which should deliver quite a few off-road models in the coming years.
Ducati says it has been working on the project in complete secrecy for two years and has now entered into an agreement with 9-time motocross world champion Antonio Cairoli as a high-performance test rider for the new project. Ducati hopes that Cairoli can provide important input into the development of the new motorcycle thanks to his talent and speed.
“I am proud to announce Ducati’s entry into motocross. A completely new world for Ducati in which we want to bring our talent in designing lightweight motorcycles, with excellent components and high performance and – above all – that can captivate more and more motorcyclists.
We believe that the track is the best laboratory to develop and test the bikes, which will then be available to customers and enthusiasts. This is why we have decided to partner with an undisputed champion like Tony Cairoli who, together with the passion and dedication of many of us here in Borgo Panigale, will contribute to making Ducati off-road as successful as on asphalt . H
The project is possible thanks to the company’s excellent results in recent years and confirms our desire to expand our presence into new worlds, appeal to new motorcyclists and thus grow the Ducati commune.”
“I am extremely happy to be part of the Ducati universe, which has always been a symbol of the Italian spirit around the world, and to start this exciting new adventure, in a completely Italian project. Being able to contribute to the development of the Borgo Panigale dirt bike is a dream come true and a source of great pride for me.”
Ducati has also signed a multi-year agreement with Maddii Racing, one of the most experienced teams in the motocross paddock, which will be the reference structure for the MX racing activities and will participate in the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship with Alessandro Lupino, 8-time Italian champion and 2021 MXoN winner, also contracted by Ducati as a race and test rider.
The focus of the Ducati off-road project is on a combination of the search for lightness to the limit, high-quality components and engines characterized by a very wide power delivery. The latter is achieved thanks to the use of Ducati’s signature desmodromic valve drive.
Ducati says that entering the off-road sector has been a very important and challenging strategic choice made possible thanks to the excellent results achieved in recent years. A decision that confirms the desire to expand its presence into unexplored territory.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.