Who Is Riding Ducati In Supercross – Company Facts
Ducati’s 2026 AMA Supercross effort is Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing, launched by Ducati North America on Oct. 27, 2025.
You’ll see Tony Cairoli as Ducati’s brand ambassador and rider.
Development support comes from Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini.
The team debuted at Anaheim 1 on Jan. 10, 2026.
It will appear at eight Supercross rounds, with Ducati Corse Off-Road backing the Desmo450 MX program, which has more to reveal.
Who’s Ducati Racing in Supercross?
Ducati’s 2026 AMA Supercross effort will be run by the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing team, which Ducati North America officially announced on October 27, 2025.
Ducati’s 2026 AMA Supercross campaign will be run by Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing.
You’ll see Ducati’s first official North American off-road factory campaign under the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati banner, with Troy Lee Designs supplying custom liveries and paddock support.
Ducati Corse Off-Road confirmed the debut at Anaheim 1 on January 10, 2026.
Tony Cairoli joins the program as a Ducati Brand Ambassador.
The team will race Ducati Corse-liveried bikes, and you’ll also see a Desmo450 MX proto in the paddock at selected rounds.
Ducati’s broader off-road roster, including MXGP riders Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini, supports development for the Supercross push.
Inside the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Team
The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing team is Ducati’s North American off-road factory program. It was officially announced on October 27, 2025, and introduced at Anaheim 1 on January 10, 2026.
You’ll see Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati combine custom graphics, Red Bull backing, and Ducati Corse Off-Road technical direction into a factory-level effort. It supports AMA Supercross, Motocross, and SuperMotocross.
The program includes Tony Cairoli as Ducati Brand Ambassador and rider. Factory-developed names such as Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini also help build out the broader motocross plan.
At selected rounds, you’ll also see the Desmo450 MX proto. There’s also a sectioned engine display that shows the Desmodromic valve timing system.
Ducati treats 2026 as Chapter One. Sunnyvale-based resources focus on development, fan engagement, and a stronger 2027 campaign.
Why Ducati Chose Troy Lee Designs
You can see why Ducati chose Troy Lee Designs—there’s a shared racing heritage, plus a long track record of building Supercross teams that win championships.
With that in mind, TLD’s founder will help shape the team’s custom liveries and race graphics, giving Ducati factory-level design power right in the AMA paddock.
And that same fit sets the program up to build a stronger Ducati Corse identity for 2026 and beyond.
Shared Racing Heritage
Ducati selected Troy Lee Designs because the two brands share a deep racing heritage. The connection is anchored by a partnership with Red Bull that began in 2001 with Supermoto.
You can trace that bond through more than 20 years of collaboration. It includes a decade of Red Bull Ducati success in Supercross and Motocross from 2016 to 2024.
That record gave Troy Lee Designs proven paddock influence and race-winning experience. You also get the benefit of Troy Lee’s founder-led pedigree and custom-livery craft.
Those strengths fit Ducati’s 100th-year celebration and first official U.S. factory program. Both sides value passion, innovation, and performance.
That alignment supports Ducati Corse Off-Road’s 2026 Supercross effort.
Factory-Level Design Power
Because Ducati wanted factory-level livery and branding for its first official North American off-road program, it turned to Troy Lee Designs. TLD created special Ducati Corse graphics and custom paddock liveries.
You get a visual program shaped by TLD’s paddock experience, bold style, and close ties with Red Bull Ducati.
| Focus | TLD role | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics | Corse identity | Factory look |
| Paddocks | Custom displays | Strong presence |
| Fans | Bike showcases | Clear engagement |
| Values | Passion, design | Trusted fit |
Ducati also wanted a partner who could express its racing DNA during its 100th year. Troy Lee Designs will support eight AMA Supercross rounds, including Anaheim 1 on January 10, 2026, with branded displays and the Desmo450 MX proto bike.
You can see why Ducati chose TLD for more than decoration. It delivers design authority, culture, and consistency.
Built For 2026
For Ducati’s 2026 Supercross entry, Troy Lee Designs fits the job on several levels.
It reunites with Red Bull, brings more than 20 years of paddock design and factory-team experience, and gives Ducati a proven North American partner.
You also get a team base in Sunnyvale, California.
That helps Ducati North America launch the program smoothly.
Lee Designs Red Bull adds custom livery skills.
So TLD can create the official Ducati Corse colours and special graphics that match Ducati’s racing identity.
Its decade-plus Supercross and Motocross presence supports rider visibility and brand lift on U.S. soil.
That makes the Red Bull Ducati Factory effort practical for 2026, with design, promotion, and paddock integration aligned for AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross.
What Makes the Desmo450 MX Different
What sets the Desmo450 MX apart is its desmodromic valve timing, the only system of its kind on a motocross bike. It mechanically closes the valves instead of relying on springs to help the engine rev higher.
On the Desmo450, that design lets you hold higher RPMs and shift less between corners. It can improve starts and mid-corner drive.
Desmodromic timing helps the Desmo450 hold higher RPMs, shift less, and deliver stronger starts and mid-corner drive.
Ducati pairs that engine with electronics derived from its MotoGP program. You get unusually advanced engine and rider controls for this class.
The single-cylinder 450 is built in Borgo Panigale. Ducati refined it with rider input to balance weight, handling, and race performance.
At events, a sectioned engine shows the desmodromic valve timing in action. The mechanical advantage is easy to see.
The Ducati Riders Behind the Prototype
You can trace the Desmo450 MX prototype through a small group of riders who really helped shape its early development. Tony Cairoli, Alessandro Lupino, Jeremy Seewer, Mattia Guadagnini, and Dylan Ferrandis all played a role—whether that meant gathering on-track data, turning in race results, or doing both.
And because they were testing and competing at the same time, Ducati got the rider feedback it needed before the bike ever reached Supercross.
Proto Bike Riders
Ducati’s Desmo450 prototype has been developed and raced by a small group of key riders. Each rider has played a specific role in the bike’s early progress.
You can trace the Desmo450 MX through Tony Cairoli. He gave it its World Championship debut in the Netherlands in 2024 as a Ducati Brand Ambassador.
Then Alessandro Lupino rode the proto to victory in the Italian Prestige MX1 Championship that same year.
In 2025, Jeremy Seewer joined Ducati’s development program and scored two MXGP podiums on the bike.
Mattia Guadagnini also raced the Desmo450 for Ducati Corse Off-Road in MXGP.
Dylan Ferrandis, known as “The Developer,” added technical feedback during SuperMotocross before retiring after a final P8 in Moto 2.
Development Rider Lineup
The Desmo450 MX prototype has been shaped by a compact but influential rider lineup.
You can trace Ducati’s progress through Tony Cairoli, who serves as both development rider and Brand Ambassador. He helped present the bike at Anaheim on January 10, 2026.
Alessandro Lupino gave the Desmo450 MX its first Ducati motocross win in the 2024 Italian Prestige MX1 Championship, proving its pace.
Jeremy Seewer joined the program for 2025 MXGP, scored two podiums, and showed the platform’s race potential.
Mattia Guadagnini added mileage and feedback in the same campaign, helping refine setup.
Dylan Ferrandis, known as “The Developer,” supplied detailed technical input during Ducati’s first SuperMotocross season before retiring after his final race, P8 in Moto 2.
How Ducati Fits Into AMA Racing
Arriving in 2026, Ducati fits into AMA racing through the factory Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati team. Ducati North America officially announced the program on October 27, 2025. It’s set to debut at Anaheim 1 on January 10, 2026.
You’ll see the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati program use the Desmo450 MX. This is Ducati’s single-cylinder 450 motocross bike built in Borgo Panigale by Ducati Corse Off-Road.
The machine uses desmodromic valve timing and MotoGP-derived electronics. That gives a clear link between Ducati’s road-racing tech and dirt-track competition.
The team also aligns with AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross plans. Ducati stages US appearances and keeps European racing active, too.
That structure lets you follow a staged entry into American motocross.
What Ducati’s Supercross Debut Means for AMA Racing
With its Anaheim 1 debut on January 10, 2026, the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing team brings AMA Supercross a new manufacturer entry. It’s backed by Ducati North America and Ducati Corse Off-Road in Sunnyvale, Calif.
You’re seeing Ducati turn its Desmo450 MX into a direct AMA racing platform. That means desmodromic valve timing and MotoGP-derived electronics are coming to the series.
This step raises the technical bar for 450cc competition. It also adds another factory development path to Supercross.
Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati also extends Ducati’s off-road reach in North America. So you’ll get a clearer picture of how the brand measures itself against established teams.
For AMA racing, the debut signals long-term manufacturer commitment. It brings broader paddock diversity, and it sets a new benchmark for Supercross and SuperMotocross ambitions.
What Ducati Corse Off-Road Looks Like in 2026
Ducati Corse Off-Road’s 2026 program centers on the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing team. It was officially announced on October 27, 2025, for AMA Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross, and the SuperMotocross Championship.
You’ll see TLD livery, Ducati Corse colors, and Red Bull branding shaped in Sunnyvale.
| Element | Detail | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Team | Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing | Factory race entry |
| Bike | Desmo450 MX | Competitive platform |
| Tech | Desmodromic timing, MotoGP-derived electronics | Performance support |
| Riders | Tony Cairoli, development riders | Lineup depth |
| Base | Borgo Panigale | Factory build origin |
Ducati Corse Off-Road pairs racing with displays, sectioned-engine demos, and Ducati Island activations.
You get a clear, data-driven look at Ducati’s off-road push in 2026.
It’s built around competition and product development.
Where Fans Can See Ducati Next
Fans can spot Ducati’s off-road push at eight AMA Supercross rounds.
Fans can catch Ducati’s off-road campaign at eight AMA Supercross rounds this season.
Troy Lee Designs will roll out Ducati Corse colours and special graphics, starting with the January 10, 2026 Anaheim 1 event at Angel Stadium.
You’ll also see a Desmo450 MX proto bike.
In the Supercross paddock, there’s a sectioned Desmo450 engine, showing the desmodromic timing system in detail.
Ducati North America and Ducati Corse staff will join Troy Lee Designs at scheduled rounds.
So, you can expect brand representatives on site.
Ducati will also display the Desmo450 MX at Ducati Island during the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin on March 30.
If you want purchase details, Ducati says the Desmo450 MX reaches selected European dealers in June 2025, with updates posted through official Ducati channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Ducati Corse Off-Road’s Role in Supercross?
Ducati Corse Off-Road develops and manages Ducati’s Supercross effort. You’ll see it building the Desmo450 MX, running testing and rider development, and coordinating factory race logistics.
It also sets performance goals, supports the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing program, and validates the bike through competition results. The division handles technical direction, team preparation, and debut planning for Ducati’s entry into Supercross.
Where Is the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Team Based?
Home is where the heart is: you’ll find the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati team based in Sunnyvale, California.
Ducati North America announced the factory program there on October 27, 2025. You’ll see team operations, branding, logistics, rider support, and promotional work run from that U.S. hub.
Bike development continues with Ducati Corse Off-Road in Borgo Panigale, Italy.
Which Riders Helped Develop the Desmo450 MX Prototype?
You’ll find that Alessandro Lupino and Tony Cairoli helped develop the Desmo450 MX prototype.
Lupino worked on the prototype and later earned its first competitive win in Italy.
Cairoli also contributed to development.
He raced the bike’s World Championship debut in 2024 as a Ducati brand ambassador and test rider.
Jeremy Seewer, Mattia Guadagnini, and Dylan Ferrandis later added technical feedback to Ducati’s broader program.
What Brands Support Ducati’s Factory Supercross Effort?
Ducati’s factory Supercross effort gets support from Troy Lee Designs, Red Bull, Ducati North America, and Ducati Corse Off-Road.
You’ll also see backing from Ducati Corse and Borgo Panigale’s production and motorsport network.
They help with electronics, engine development, dealer availability, and team rollout.
Troy Lee Designs adds custom liveries, paddock presence, and branded assets.
Red Bull supports the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing team.
What Makes Ducati’s Supercross Program a North American First?
You see a new flag planting itself in the dirt: Ducati’s program is North America’s first official Ducati off-road factory effort.
It marks the brand’s debut in Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross here.
A factory team will run full AMA Supercross in 2026.
Ducati Corse Off-Road will supply the Desmo450 MX, and the effort is based in California for U.S. competition.
That makes it a true regional first.
Conclusion
When you follow Ducati into Supercross, you’re watching a brand step into unfamiliar soil and plant a flag. With Troy Lee Designs, Red Bull, and the Desmo450 MX, Ducati is building more than a debut. It’s setting up a new chapter in AMA racing.
For fans like you, expect a slow burn, not a fireworks show. The factory is learning, adapting, and chasing speed. Much like a storied racer finding a line through a fresh turn.
