Ducati Confirm Motocross Entry, Cairoli Signing | News 7

Ducati has made their first movement within the off-road space by securing Antonio Cairoli's signature – the news was announced in a comprehensive press release that confirms the manufacturer's intention to enter motocross. This is the first time that Ducati has underlined their motocross plans, even though the project has been in development for more than two years.

"I am proud to announce Ducati's entry into motocross," said Ducati Motor Holding's CEO, Claudio Domenicali. "A totally 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 – which can excite more and more motorcyclists. Just as we believe that the track is the best laboratory to develop and test the bikes that will then be available to customers and enthusiasts.

"This is why we have decided to cooperate 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 in off-road as capable in offering very high-performance products to its passionate customers as we have proven on the asphalt," Domenicali continued. "The project is possible thanks to the company's excellent results in recent years and confirms our desire to extend our presence into new worlds, speak to new motorcyclists and therefore grow the Ducati Community."

Cairoli has been handed the title of "high-performance test rider" in the press release. There has been no mention of him competing in races, although one would think that he will compete in a round of the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship. It is that series that Ducati will debut in – Alessandro Lupino will be their full-time racer and lend his hand in testing too. Lupino and Cairoli will operate from under Maddii Racing's awning. The Italian team that previously used Fantic motorcycles in MX2, EMX250 and EMX125 has signed a multi-year deal to head up Ducati's racing program.

"I am extremely happy to become part of the universe of Ducati, which has always been a symbol of Italian spirit throughout the world, and to begin this exciting new adventure, in an all-Italian project," Antonio Cairoli stated in a Ducati statement. "Being able to make my contribution to the development of the Borgo Panigale motocross bike is a dream come true and a source of great pride for me."

Nestled in the statement is a sentence that appears to confirm Ducati's intention to enter enduro following motocross. "This is a multi-year project that will see the creation of a complete range of off-road engines and motorcycles. The models will gradually become part of a family of knobby motorcycles branded Ducati, starting with motocross," the statement read. It was also confirmed that the bike would be created with the "Desmodromic system" that Ducati use to create a broad power delivery curve on all motorcycles that exit their Bologna facility.

This announcement has been so packed that it is unknown when Ducati will share more information. This announcement video confirms that the 450F is finished and in action – it has been tested in Italy for some time.