Ducati Corse, the division responsible for Ducati’s off-road racing, has revealed two prototypes that Antonio Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino will showcase at the 2024 Campioni in Pista event. This marks Ducati’s return to motocross since the 1971 450R/T Desmo model.
The right side of the Ducati features components like a Showa shock, aluminum frame, Akrapovic exhaust system, and a neatly positioned rear brake pedal. Notably, the Beta logo on the swingarm is unrelated to Beta Motorcycles; it belongs to a tool company.
This factory race bike, more of a prototype, won’t enter production until 2025, making it Ducati’s first motocross bike since the 1971 Ducati 450R/T.
The left side of the engine reveals features such as a CNC-machined shift lever, Brembo hydraulic clutch slave unit, molded frame guards, electric starter motor, and a forged swingarm pivot. The Desmodromic valve system, designed in 1956 by Fabio Taglioni, is a noteworthy internal component.
Named Desmo450 MX, the new model sports a racing livery for competition in the Italian Motocross Pro-Prestige MX1 Championship by the Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team, managed by Corrado and Marco Maddii. The aim for the debut season is to gather racing data for the Desmo450 MX’s development, set for production in the latter half of 2025.
The 2024 Ducati Corse motocross race team, managed by Corrado Maddii, includes riders Tony Cairoli and Alessandro Lupino. The team will utilize Showa forks, Excel rims, Pirelli MX32 Scorpion tires, and Mousseballs, with a Get GPS unit on the front fender.
Alessandro Lupino will participate in all Italian Championship rounds and testing programs, alongside Antonio Cairoli. The Ducati Desmo450 MX is set to debut on March 16-17 at the first round of the Italian Motocross Pro Prestige MX1 Championship.
When the production Ducati Desmo450 MX is released in 2025, it will only be available in Ducati Red, joining Honda and GasGas as the third all-red bike on the track.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali expressed his excitement, stating, “Today, we present the official teams for the 2024 racing season: the Ducati Lenovo Team, the Aruba.it – Racing Ducati Team, and the novelty represented by the Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team.” Domenicali emphasized Ducati’s commitment to investing in its future, citing the motocross entry as an example of their unyielding will to improve and succeed.
