The Ducati Desmo450 MX made its inaugural appearance in the Italian Motocross Prestige Championship last weekend. Spearheaded by former MXGP World Championship rider Alessandro Lupino, the Desmo450 MX immediately showcased its potential. Ducati is renowned for its superbikes and it stepped into the world of competitive motocross for the first time over the weekend. It has marked a significant debut in the sport.
Lupino is considered as a seasoned rider and winner of the 2021 Motocross of Nations with Team Italy. He has impressed everyone by securing pole position in the MX1-class on Saturday. He continued to demonstrate the capabilities of the Desmo450 MX by clinching victory in its first-ever competitive motocross race during the first moto on Sunday.
Despite a challenging start in the second moto, Lupino’s efforts earned him a commendable second overall position with consistent performances of 1-7 finishes throughout the day. The overall victory went to Isak Gifting, who transitioned to 450s this year after a successful stint in the MX2 World Championship. Riding a Yamaha YZ450F, Gifting showcased resilience by finishing sixth in the first moto despite a crash at the start, before claiming victory in the second race.
The race unfolded at the Circuito Internazionale Motocross Citta di Mantova, the same venue that hosted the prestigious 2021 Motocross of Nations. While Lupino narrowly missed out on the overall victory, the Desmo450 MX proved its mettle as a competitive motorcycle right from its debut. The Desmo450 MX demonstrated promising potential even in its maiden outing.
Ducati is committed to further showcasing the capabilities of the Desmo450 MX and Lupino throughout the remainder of this year’s Italian Championship. Anticipation is high for the anticipated debut of both the make and model in the MXGP World Championship in 2025.
