
A preview of what might be the next major team to join the SMX paddock, Troy Lee Designs Ducati.
WORDS: DAVEY COOMBS
PHOTOS: ALIGN MEDIA
From the moment Paolo Ciabatti pulled the cover off of the Desmo450 MX prototype last January at a launch party high up in the Italian Alps known as the Dolomites, Ducati Corse (Racing) has been working overtime to develop a state-of-the-art off-road motorcycle that they want to be competitive immediately. Ciabatti is the general manager of Ducati Corse Off-Road, but he was affectionally known as “the Pope of MotoGP” for elevating Ducati’s racing fortunes on pavement to heights the company could only dream of not so long ago. His move from the tarmac to the dirt was as big a story in Europe as the introduction of a Ducati dirt bike. It was also a sign of the huge commitment Ducati Corse has made to motocross and supercross.
“Obviously Ducati had this idea to go off-road for many, many years,” explained Ciabatti. “For whatever reason, the project and the plan was always delayed. It was, ‘Next time! Next time!’ Luckily, three years ago there was basically the approval to go ahead with this project.”
We are deeply rooted in Moto—We’ve been here all our lives. Back in 1998 when we turned an underground newspaper into a shiny color magazine, it immediately changed the game with its unprecedented depth of coverage, sense of humor, and access to the sport’s biggest names. Today, our readers know they can go to Racer X Online for all the news, race results, and event coverage they need, and then enjoy even more detail and perspective in the pages of Racer X Illustrated. The mag offers a chance to learn something new on every page and stay connected with the people and personalities that shape our sport—the competitors out on the racetrack, as well as the ones behind the scenes—through our exclusive deep-dive stories and columns.
Our trademark has always been insider knowledge from the experts who are at the races and around the sport. We have long prided ourselves on our unparalleled race reporting and detailed storytelling. We go deep with the riders and teams to provide comprehensive coverage you won’t find anywhere else—all with first-class photography and design. It’s a full education in motocross past, present, and future.
Davey Coombs
Editor-in-chief & Founder
Racer X Illustrated
Subscribe Now
to continue reading The Ducati is Out of the Bag
and other premium content from the pages of Racer X magazine

Get immediate access to this issue + 12 more issues
Subscribe or Renew for your FREE Scott Fury Goggles! (Subscribe now!)
Already have a subscription?
Login to your Account