Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1510691
Ducati Announces Motocross Entry D ucati is officially entering the motocross scene. Strong off- season rumors were confirmed last week as Ducati announced a new motocross model, which is set to debut next season in the Italian Motocross Champion - ship. Along with their anticipated reveal, they've signed Antonio Cairoli as the lead test rider. The Bologna-based manu - facturer has been working for two years on a prototype that debuts next season in the Ital - ian Motocross Championship. The focus of the Ducati off-road project combines the search for lightness pushed to the extreme, top-of-the-line components and engines characterized by a broad power delivery. The latter is obtained thanks to their Des - modromic system, used on all Ducati sport bikes, including Mo- toGP. Ducati is, in fact, the only company in the world that uses the same valve return system on its production motorcycles and racing prototypes. This multi-year project will see the creation of a complete range of off-road engines and motorcy - cles as they gradually become part of a family of knobby motorcycles. Ducati signed an agreement with nine-time Motocross World Champion Cairoli as a test rider for the new project. "I am ex - tremely happy to become part of the Ducati universe," said Cairoli. "[Ducati] has always been a sym- bol of Italian spirit throughout the world, and to begin this exciting new adventure in an all-Italian project. 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." Ducati also signed a multi-year agreement with Maddii Racing, a seasoned team in the moto - cross paddock. They'll assist in structuring the motocross racing activities for the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship. Ales- sandro Lupino, eight-time Ital- ian Champion and 2021 MXoN winner, is also contracted as a Ducati test rider. Entering the specialist off-road sector represents an important and challenging strategic choice for Ducati, made possible thanks to their achievements in recent years. A decision that confirms the desire to expand the brand's pres - ence into unexplored terrain today. New young motorcyclists will be able to get close to the Borgo Panigale brand and thus enter the large community of Ducatisti. "I am proud to announce Ducati's entry into Motocross," said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. "A totally new world for Ducati in which we want to bring our talent in designing lightweight motor- cycles, with excellent compo- nents 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. 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." CN WIND IN THE P20