Ducati Takes a Historic Step into Motocross — Desmo450 MX Rolls Off the Line at the Borgo Panigale Factory
May 26, 2025 – Borgo Panigale, Italy — A milestone day for Ducati: mass production of the brand’s first-ever motocross bike, the Desmo450 MX, has officially begun. Just after Jérémy Seewer clinched his second podium at the French GP, the very first unit of the Desmo450 MX was assembled and rolled off the production line. The ceremony was attended by key figures behind the project, including Tony Cairoli, who was deeply involved in development, and Alessandro Lupino, who gave the bike its debut win and first national title.
Built for Pros and Amateurs Alike – Lightweight, Rider-Friendly, and Built to Be Pushed to the Limit
The Desmo450 MX was developed for both professional and amateur riders, combining lightness, power, and reliability into a pure race machine. What sets it apart from other motocross bikes is the inclusion of Ducati’s signature desmodromic valve system and segment-first traction control, capable of precisely measuring rear-wheel slip.
The bike delivers exceptionally manageable power, offering strong torque at low to mid-range rpm and excellent pull at higher revs. This flexibility expands gear selection options, giving riders an advantage during corner exits and race starts. Furthermore, its lightweight aluminum frame, designed with minimal welds, achieves the perfect balance of rigidity and weight savings.
Factory-Level Components and Gear to Match MXGP Machines
The Desmo450 MX is far from a mere production model. To bring it closer to the machines used by Jérémy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini in MXGP, Ducati offers a broad range of genuine parts through its Ducati Performance catalog. Riders can upgrade with options like CNC-machined factory-spec wheel hubs and triple clamps, Akrapovič titanium slip-on exhausts, and Brembo racing calipers.
To complete the factory look, Ducati has launched a full apparel line in collaboration with Drudi Performance. The collection includes Alpinestars jerseys, pants, gloves, and boots, Arai helmets, and a range of outerwear such as wind vests, soft shells, and rain jackets—allowing riders to go full race style from head to toe.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati:
“We looked deep into the core of Ducati’s corporate culture and reaffirmed that racing and production motorcycles are closely connected. We also discovered that many within our team are passionate about off-road riding. All of this led to the realization of the Desmo450 MX—a high-performance bike that anyone can ride with ease.”
Sales Launch and Future Rollout
The Desmo450 MX will go on sale starting July 2025 at select European dealerships, with launches in North America and other global markets to follow. An official introduction video is available on Ducati’s YouTube channel.
(Photo courtesy of Ducati)