The second phase of Ducati's play for two-wheel off-road domination is here. We're about to see the race debut of the Desmo250 MX, which represents the second step in Ducati's motocross plan, and if its first step is anything to go by, riders and race fans are in for something special.
Last season, the Desmo450 MX competed in the Italian Prestige Championship and took the win in the MX1 Elite Class, with Alessandro Lupino onboard. This year, Ducati will take the same approach with the MX2 class and the Desmo250 MX.
Piloting the Desmo250 MX on its first outing will be the nine-time Italian champion, Alessandro Lupino, in all six races of the Italian Motocross Prestige MX2 Championship. And that Beddini Racing team, winner of the MX2 2024 Italian title, will manage the bike on track. Lupino found success last year in MX1, and if he can do it again this year in MX2, other manufacturers will have a lot to think about once the production version of the Desmo250 MX launches.
On the topic of production off-road Ducatis, the Desmo450 MX will be officially presented in its production version on 3 April with an episode of the Ducati World Première. This model will also take part in the MXGP World Championship, piloted by Mattia Guadagnini and Jeremy Seewer who were chosen as the factory team riders. Ducati's factory MX team will be managed by Maddii Racing for the 2025 season.
Taking first in the Italian Motocross Prestige Championship is one thing, but the MXGP World Championship is another animal entirely, so all eyes will be on the Desmo450 MX to see how it holds up against the best motocross riders, bikes, and teams.
The Desmo450 MX is expected to go on sale for $13,995. But would you buy one in its first year of production or wait to see if it has problems that need teasing out?
