Ducati Kicks Off 2026 Racing Season with Centenary Tribute Liveries
The Valencia GP weekend marked the conclusion of a historic year for Ducati, but the Italian manufacturer is already looking forward. During the Valencia MotoGP tests, which serve as the first act of the 2026 season, Ducati officially began celebrations for its Centenary (1926–2026). To honor this milestone, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer revealed two special liveries on the track, paying homage to iconic victories in its sporting history.
Historic Liveries for a Historic Year
As Ducati approaches its 100th anniversary, the company has chosen to celebrate its engineering excellence and Italian identity through distinct visual tributes on the Desmosedici GP bikes. The special liveries were interpreted on the track by riders Francesco Bagnaia and Nicolò Bulega.
Francesco Bagnaia: The 750 Imola Desmo Tribute Francesco Bagnaia took to the track with a livery inspired by the legendary 750 Imola Desmo. This motorcycle became an icon following the historic one-two finish achieved by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari at the 1972 Imola 200 Miles.
Nicolò Bulega: The 750 Supersport Desmo Tribute Nicolò Bulega rode with the colors of the 750 Supersport Desmo. This livery celebrates the machine on which Franco Uncini secured the Italian 750cc title in 1975.
Recap of a Record-Breaking 2025 Season
The debut of these commemorative liveries follows a 2025 season that solidified Ducati’s dominance in international racing. The manufacturer secured its fourth consecutive Riders’ Title and its sixth consecutive Manufacturers’ Title in MotoGP.
MotoGP Dominance The 2025 season saw the Desmosedici GP on the podium in every race. Marc Márquez and Ducati set an unrivaled pace, securing the World Championship with five races remaining in the season. The year concluded with an extraordinary result for the manufacturer, including a second-place championship finish for Álex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing Team) and a top-five finish for Francesco Bagnaia.
This victory marks Ducati’s fifth overall Riders’ Title and highlights the versatility of the Desmosedici GP, which has won with three different riders (Bagnaia, Martín, and Márquez) over four consecutive years. Additionally, the Ducati Lenovo Team secured the Teams’ Title, with satellite teams BK8 Gresini and Pertamina Enduro VR46 finishing second and third respectively.
WorldSBK and Production Success In the world of production-based motorcycles, Ducati secured its twenty-first Manufacturers’ Title in WorldSBK history. 2025 was the final racing season for the current Panigale V4 R, which will be replaced by a completely new generation of motorcycles in 2026. The Panigale V4 also saw success in national championships, winning the Riders’ Title in the Italian CIV SBK Production Bike category and achieving strong results in the German IDM championship.
Expansion into Off-Road Racing
Ducati made significant strides in its off-road project during 2025. In its first full commitment to the MXGP World Championship, the manufacturer achieved two podium finishes and four holeshots with riders Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini.
In the Pro Prestige MX2 Championship, the Desmo250 MX finished the season in second place. Looking ahead, the manufacturer is preparing for its debut in the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship, building on the solid foundation laid during the previous season.
World Ducati Week 2026
The Centenary celebrations will culminate at World Ducati Week 2026. The event is scheduled to take place from July 3 to July 5, 2026, gathering Ducati heroes and enthusiasts to celebrate the company’s 100-year history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What do the new Ducati liveries for the 2026 season represent? A: The new liveries pay homage to Ducati’s Centenary. Francesco Bagnaia’s bike honors the 750 Imola Desmo from 1972, while Nicolò Bulega’s bike honors the 750 Supersport Desmo from 1975.
Q: Who won the 2025 MotoGP World Championship? A: Marc Márquez won the 2025 MotoGP World Championship riding for Ducati.
Q: How many consecutive Manufacturers’ Titles has Ducati won in MotoGP as of the end of 2025? A: Ducati has won six consecutive Manufacturers’ Titles in MotoGP.
Q: When will the new generation of the Panigale V4 R debut in racing? A: The new generation of the Panigale V4 R will take over from the current model starting in the 2026 racing season.
Q: When is World Ducati Week 2026? A: World Ducati Week 2026 will take place from July 3rd to July 5th, 2026.
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