This weekend, Ducati’s motocross program takes another big step forward as their new Desmo250 MX enters its first race in Italy.
The Desmo250 MX follows directly on the heels of the Desmo450 MX, which debuted in 2024. It was immediately raced in Italy’s national MX2 motocross series, and that’s where we see the 250 raced now. The 450 won its class last year, in its inaugural season, and no doubt Ducati hopes for the same with its new 250. The Beddini Racing team that took the 450 to the title last year is also campaigning the 250 this year; it looks like Alessandro Lupino will race the series for Beddini this year. He’s a nine-time champ, and the bike is in capable hands.
The campaign begins at the Ottobiano track, and if the same pattern holds true for the 250 as the 450, it will hit the market for consumers in just over a year, after this season’s six races are complete. The 450 also raced in a few MXGP rounds, and we’d expect the same of the 250 later this year. The 450 is available for consumers by late spring of 2025 (summer for North American customers), and if the 250 does the same thing, you should be able to buy one in July of 2026.
Interestingly, Ducati is following a pattern exactly opposite their Euro competitor Triumph. Hinckley brought their 250 to market first, and seemed to focus on North America by signing Ricky Carmichael as an ambassador. Ducati is definitely focused on European sales, and brought their 450 out first. Was this on purpose, or dumb luck? Don’t discount some canny collaboration in today’s cash-strapped world.
I’m not sure how many purely MX bikes get sold in Europe every year but I suspect the US market is stronger. I’m guessing that a select few Vet racers are the only ones who are willing to pay the kind of money Ducati will be asking. Then there’s the issue of the desmodronic valves. Look at the size of the head on that 450. It’s massive compared to the head on my current CRF450R albeit only one camshaft on the Honda. The complexity to service one will discourage a lot of buyers. I don’t know any of my competitors that are interested nor would any of us buy one for our kids.