In the wake of a recent announcement detailing an upcoming project featuring a lineup of off-road models set to debut in the near future, Ducati has positioned itself to harness the competitive spirit of national motocross competitions as a pivotal component of its product development strategy.
With plans to enter the fray as early as 2024, the initiative includes fielding a 450 prototype entrusted to Alessandro Lupino, with the expertise of Antonio Cairoli contributing as the high-performance test rider.
Responding to this dynamic venture, Ducati has officially established the Off-Road Division within Ducati Corse. This newly formed division will be responsible for the orchestration and oversight of the comprehensive sporting program, encompassing participation in the MXGP World Championship and the AMA Supercross Championship in the forthcoming years.
Paolo Ciabatti, who served as the Sporting Director of Ducati Corse from 2013 to 2023, has been appointed as the General Manager of the newly minted Ducati Corse Off-Road. Tasked with propelling the Borgo Panigale company to triumph in the realm of off-road racing, Ciabatti will report directly to the CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, Claudio Domenicali.
In addition to his new role, Ciabatti will retain responsibilities for coordinating Ducati’s sporting endeavors in prominent national SBK and SSP championships, including MotoAmerica, British Superbike, All Japan Superbike, Australian Superbike, and CIV throughout 2024.
Meanwhile, Mauro Grassilli, currently the Head of Marketing and Sponsorships at Ducati Corse, is set to assume the multifaceted role of Sporting, Marketing, and Communications Director within Ducati Corse. Reporting directly to Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna, Grassilli will play a pivotal role in steering the strategic direction of Ducati’s involvement in off-road racing.
Ducati Corse says that it remains unwavering in its commitment to managing the MotoGP and WorldSBK championships concurrently. The overarching objective is to build upon the remarkable string of successes that has become synonymous with the Borgo Panigale company.
