Ducati has released some exciting news lately. After declaring it will enter the production dirt bike segment in the next few years and, in the meantime, field a prototype in the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship, the Bologna-based manufacturer has also announced the signing of an agreement with Antonio Cairoli to be a test rider for the new motocross model.
“I am extremely happy to become part of the universe of Ducati, which has always been a symbol of Italian spirit throughout the world, and to begin this exciting new adventure in an all-Italian project,” Cairoli said. “Being able to make my contribution to the development of the Borgo Panigale motocross bike is a dream come true and a source of great pride for me.”
Ducati has also signed a multiyear agreement with Maddii Racing, the team that will field its prototype dirt bike in the 2024 Italian Motocross Championship. Alessandro Lupino, eight-time Italian Motocross champion and 2021 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) winner, has inked a deal to race the machine and be a test rider alongside MXGP legend Cairoli as well.
“We believe that the track is the best laboratory to develop and test the bikes that will be available to customers and enthusiasts,” Ducati Motor Holding CEO Claudio Domenicali said. “This is why we have decided to cooperate with an undisputed champion like Tony Cairoli who, together with the passion and dedication of many of us here in Borgo Panigale, will contribute to making Ducati in off-road as capable in offering very high-performance products to its passionate customers as we have proven on the asphalt.”
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