Browsing: Ducati

Francesco Bagnaia leaves Ducati after eight years and will ride for Aprilia Racing from 2027. His contract runs through the end of 2030, making the double world champion the only MotoGP rider with such a long-term commitment.

Ducati and Francesco Bagnaia will end their partnership after the 2026 MotoGP season. Pedro Acosta will take his place in the factory team from 2027, riding alongside Marc Márquez.

Marc Márquez is continuing his collaboration with Ducati in MotoGP for two more years. The reigning world champion has signed a new contract that keeps him with the factory team until the end of 2028.

Ducati expands its off-road program with the Desmo250 MX, bringing the first 250cc motocrosser with desmodromic valve actuation to market. The completely new 249.7 cm³ single-cylinder revs to 15,000 rpm and shares key design features with the engine of the Panigale V4 R.

MotoGP has closed the most politically charged chapter of recent years. Ducati, Aprilia, Honda, KTM, and Yamaha have jointly signed a new framework agreement with the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group for the period from 2027 to 2031. This clears the way for a wave of rider transfers that has kept the market frozen for months.

Jorge Martin has shared insights into his time at Ducati on the “Gypsy Tales” podcast, revealing a previously unknown contract breach. The 2024 world champion describes how he was denied the factory seat twice and why he takes a critical view of how the major manufacturers treat their riders.

Ducati has unveiled the full program for World Ducati Week 2026, running from July 3 to 5 at the Misano World Circuit to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. The schedule includes the Lenovo Race of Champions, an anniversary show on the founding date, the world premiere of a new model and several special editions.

With the Desmo450 EDS, Ducati brings its first modern street-legal enduro to market, transferring desmodromic valve actuation to this class for the first time. Sales in Europe begin in July 2026, with the motorcycle expected to start at €12,490 in Germany.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park, Marc Marquez scored the 100th victory of his career and held off Pedro Acosta after an intense battle. The race lost its championship leader in the very first corner when Jorge Martin crashed into his Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi.

The 2026 Tourist Trophy began on Monday in sunshine and optimal conditions with the first free practice sessions on the Mountain Course. Michael Dunlop immediately provided the first major talking point when he lined up in the Superbike class on a Honda Fireblade instead of the previously announced Ducati Panigale V4 R. Newcomers, Supersport and Sidecar riders completed their sessions without incident.

The 2026 TT opener ends early. One rider and eight spectators are injured in an incident at the exit of Parliament Square in Ramsey, all those affected are conscious.

Michael Dunlop faces a difficult decision at the Isle of Man TT 2026: Will he ride the Senior Race on Ducati or Honda? With 29 TT victories to his name, he’s just two wins away from his uncle Joey’s all-time record of 26 – but the real question is which machine gives him the best shot at history.

On May 9, 2026, the largest community event in Ducati’s history took place. Over 22,000 participants from more than 70 countries rolled through metropolises on five continents simultaneously. In the anniversary year spanning 1926 to 2026, this was just the beginning — in early July, World Ducati Week in Misano marks the true highlight.

Ducati expands the Hypermotard family with the new 698 Mono Nera featuring an all-black livery, standard Termignoni silencers, and quickshifter. The upgraded single-cylinder supermoto arrives at European dealers from June 2026.

Ducati has confirmed June 9, 2026 as the official unveiling date for the street-legal Desmo450 EDS. Pre-orders for Ducati’s first production enduro with street homologation are already being accepted at selected off-road dealers.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will miss at least two races after a heavy highside crash in the Le Mans sprint. The previously hidden truth about his right shoulder makes the situation even more critical.

The North West 200 is heading into one of the most exciting editions in recent history. From May 6 to 9, 2026, some of the world’s best road racers battle for nine victories across four race classes on the 14.3-kilometre coastal course between Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine.

The Ducati Desmo450 MX receives a predictive maintenance system via software update that adjusts service intervals to actual engine load. An algorithm from racing could change the entire motorcycle industry in the long term.

At the annual MotoGP gala dinner on the eve of the Spanish GP in Jerez, the manufacturers’ tables remained empty. Yamaha, Aprilia, and KTM did not show up, while Ducati and Honda sent only lower-ranking representatives. The result: promoter MotoGP SEG switches strategy and now negotiates individually with each manufacturer.

At the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, Alex Marquez claims his second consecutive home victory. His brother Marc Marquez retires after a heavy crash on lap three. Ducati’s factory team endures a disastrous Sunday with a double DNF.