Ducati Desmo450 MX Is Here — And It Means Business
Ducati has officially stepped into the dirt world with their first motocross machine — the Desmo450 MX — and it’s now hitting dealerships across Europe. If you’re in the U.S., expect it to land by the end of July. Global rollout follows right after.
This isn’t a casual weekend project for Ducati. They’ve gone all-in with a race-first approach, developing the Desmo450 MX through real competition, under real pressure.
From Factory Floor to Finish Line – Desmo450 MX
To give riders a proper look behind the curtain, Ducati dropped a short video that takes you through the full build process. Engine. Chassis. First ignition. Final inspection. It’s built in Borgo Panigale, but it’s clearly aimed at the dirt.
And the results are already speaking for themselves:
- Alessandro Lupino won the Italian Prestige MX1 title on this very bike.
- Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini are running it in MXGP and already stacking podiums and holeshots.
Add to that — Tony Cairoli, one of the sport’s biggest names, has been part of the bike’s development and raced it in two U.S. rounds (RedBud and Spring Creek). Ducati’s also laying the groundwork for their U.S. motocross program with Troy Lee Designs.
Custom-Ready From Day One
Like any Ducati, the Desmo450 MX is built to be customized. Through Ducati’s online configurator, you can spec the bike out with a full set of Performance parts — the same stuff used on the factory bikes:
- Full Akrapovi? titanium system
- Brembo Racing brake calipers
- CNC steering plates and hubs
Pick your setup, sync it with your dealer, and you’re good to go.
You can also get your Adventure Motorcycle training from WHEELS GURU
Full Factory Look Available
If you’re into gear that matches your machine, Ducati’s got you covered. They’ve released a full off-road line with Drudi Performance featuring:
- Alpinestars jersey, pants, gloves, boots
- Arai helmet
- Rain jacket, softshell, and vest from Spidi
It’s not just show gear. It’s ride-ready kit that looks like it came straight from the paddock.
Bottom Line
The Desmo450 MX isn’t Ducati testing the waters — this is a full send into the motocross world. It’s already winning races, already podium-proven, and backed by some of the sport’s biggest names. If you’re serious about dirt and want something different from the sea of orange and blue, this might be your moment.