Ducati has once again entered the single-cylinder engine scene with its Hypermotard 698 and most recently with the new Desmo 450 MX.
It has been rumored that Ducati has been on its way into supercross for a few years now. American media have reported that representatives from Ducati have been in the pits at the supercross races to scout which riders might be interested in driving for them. However, nothing official has yet to come from Ducati regarding supercross. But last year we received news that multiple MXGP world champion Antonio Cairoli, who is Italian, left his latest role as team boss at KTM to become a test rider at Ducati in their new MX venture.
Last month, the bike was shown to the press for the first time.
The design reminds us of another Italian mx/supermoto, or what do you think?
Ducati will take part in the Italian championship during 2024 with Italian rider Alessandro Lupino and Antonio Cairoli. Alessandro has experience from racing in MX2 and MXGP between 2007 and 2014. Alessandro will ride the entire season while it is stated that Antonio will participate in the first round.
So why would you choose to ride in the Italian Championship? It’s pretty clever actually. In order to compete in certain championships, Ducati must sell a certain number of bikes according to the regulations. The Italian championship doesn’t have that requirement, so Ducati can race with its prototype and continue to develop the bike under actual racing conditions. Something that Ducati has done quite well in MotoGP for instance. Ducati can take part in round 1 on the machine that they have shown to the media and then rebuild everything for round 2 if they see that something needs to be improved/adjusted. It gives them an opportunity to be able to build a knowledge base around what is needed of the bike before they go into production. Something that other, established, manufacturers already have a head start on as they compete with current models.
The Desmo 450, as it´s called, is equipped with a 450cc single-cylinder engine with Desmodromic valves. Are we to assume that a high-revving engine has been built? Maybe an engine that would thrive on a supermoto-track? Ducati hasn’t specified any specs on the bike, which is reasonable since it’s not yet fully developed. So it remains to be seen what they have chosen for chassis dimensions, engine power and other fun stuff.
The pictures show that the bike has a GET system (with a data logger on the right fork leg?), SHOWA suspension, adjustable gear selector/foot brake, STM clutch, Brembo brakes and Akrapovic full system. On the left side of the engine, we see a sensor that might be a gear position indicator for a quickshifter. If we look at the right side, we see 2 sight glasses for oil level and a clutch basket that sits relatively high up. Anyone want to guess what the lower sight glass is for? It remains to be seen which parts will be on the production models that we customers will be able to buy. But if Ducati doesn’t release a Desmotard 450, then we’ll just have to build one. 🙂
The first round of the Italian Championship takes place on the weekend of March 16-17. We’ll try to keep an eye on the race and see how Ducati’s effort progresses.
When it´s possible to order a 450 Desmo, we will get back to you with the price and a correct spec of the machine.
This post is also available in: Svenska
