The Italian motorcycle giant comes to Anaheim to hit the dirt

It’s early in the new year, and motorcycle racing is already beginning. The annual Dakar Rally is now several days in, and here in the states, the Monster Energy Supercross World Championship series kicks off in Anaheim, CA this weekend. Among the contenders lining up at the starting gates will be another internationally known and respected brand in Ducati. Partnering with Red Bull and Troy Lee Designs, Ducati is betting the farm on having success in the dirt like they do in MotoGP, MotoAmerica, and other race series.

Several years ago, Triumph expanded their racing reach, with competitive machines in the 250 and 450 Supercross classes. Motorcycling in America seems to be growing again, and it definitely reflects in all of the race series over here. MotoAmerica, American Flat Track, as well as Supercross have seen explosive growth in recent years, and more brands are throwing their hat in the ring with teams and bikes. It’s exciting to see Ducati entering the fray.

Ducati North America CEO Jason Chinnock said the brand decided to join the Supercross series for the reasons mentioned above, as well as others: “Why did we undertake it? Two reasons. The first one is an emotional one- we are motorcyclists, so any opportunity we have to expand our portfolio where we get to enjoy motorcycling, is an excellent way for us to grow the brand.“ Chinnock added, “From a business standpoint, I see all these opportunities for us to expand our reach, our coverage in North America, and actually take a lot of those things that people already know about Ducati from what we do in MotoGP racing, and racing at the highest level in winning championships, and finding a way to bring that to the off-road world.“

Ducati has largely been known over the decades for their street bikes, but since 2003 they’ve offered a series of ADV models called “Multistrada” that have proven quite popular for the brand. Last year Ducati introduced the Desmo 450 MX motocross machine, and now they’re taking it racing. With 130 dealerships across the United States, Ducati will “actually have a really robust product portfolio of all these different off-road bikes,“ Chinnock stated. With the increase in marketing exposure the Supercross series will give them, the future looks even brighter for Ducati here in North America. Hats off to them as they go racing this weekend.

Road Dirt Crew

For more on the 2026 Supercross series, click HERE
For more on the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing team, click HERE

*Photos by Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing.
*Top featured photo: Riders Dylan Ferrandis (#14) and Justin Barcia (#51) with their bikes.