Ducati Kicks Off 2026 Season With Special Retro Themed MotoGP Bikes - Details And Photos Inside

Ducati has officially kicked off the 2026 racing season in style by paying tribute to its rich 100-year history. During the Valencia MotoGP tests, seen as the first curtain-raiser event for next year,

the Italian brand unveiled two special liveries that honour some of its most iconic racing machines from the past. This moment marks a blend of nostalgia, engineering excellence and a reminder of why Ducati remains one of the strongest names in global motorsport.

The Desmosedici GP of reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia sported a livery inspired by the legendary 750 Imola Desmo. That motorcycle became famous after Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari’s iconic 1-2 finish at the 1972 Imola 200 Miles, a race still celebrated in Ducati’s history books.

Meanwhile, teammate Nicolò Bulega rode with graphics inspired by the 750 Supersport Desmo, the motorcycle on which Franco Uncini clinched the 1975 Italian 750cc title. These colour schemes visually connect Ducati’s present-day racing success with the machines that shaped its legacy.

The unveiling of these superbikes comes after a blasting 2025 season that showcased Ducati’s strength across MotoGP, WorldSBK and even off-road racing. Marc Márquez, riding a Ducati, dominated MotoGP and won the world title with five races still remaining an incredible achievement in modern racing. The championship was further highlighted by Álex Márquez finishing second, which gave Ducati 1-2 finish in the riders’ standings. Bagnaia closed the year inside the top five, adding to the team’s achievements.

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With this, Ducati secured its fourth consecutive MotoGP Riders’ Title, won with three different riders over four years. The company also locked in its sixth straight Constructors’ Title, the longest winning streak in MotoGP history, along with the Teams’ Title.

Their success extended to production-based racing too. In WorldSBK, Ducati celebrated its 21st Manufacturers’ Title, due to the powerful Panigale V4 R. The brand also won titles in Italy’s CIV championship and Germany’s IDM series, showing that Ducati’s engineering excellence is consistent across every racing category.

Even in off-road racing, which is an area Ducati recently expanded into, the brand made strong progress. Riders achieved podiums in MXGP, which is a second-place finish in the Italian MX2 championship and Ducati even entered the Motocross of Nations for the first time.

With Ducati approaching its 100th anniversary in 2026, the brand is preparing for a major global celebration at World Ducati Week, which is scheduled for July 3–5, 2026. Fans, riders, bike enthusiasts and racing legends will gather to honour a century of passion, performance and Italian craftsmanship.

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