Slaw
Nine-time World Champion Tony Cairoli confirmed that he will contest two rounds of the 2025 Pro Motocross Championship for Ducati factory racing, as the Italian brand prepares for its full-time U.S. debut in 2026.
It was announced on Thursday that Cairoli will race the RedBud National on July 5 and the Spring Creek National the following weekend on July 12.
The Italian rider has been working on the development team for Ducati’s new Desmo450 MX motocross bike and has raced select rounds of the FIM World Motocross Championship with the factory team.
“This American trip is very interesting, especially from a commercial and marketing point of view. The U.S. market is the most important in the world, and our main goal is to debut the Desmo450 MX in the USA just a few weeks before deliveries begin, while enjoying iconic tracks like RedBud and Spring Creek,” said Cairoli. “We’ll be racing with the production bike to introduce it directly to American fans and enthusiasts. Before that, I’ll be in Southwick on Saturday, June 28, serving as the event’s Grand Marshal. I don’t have any particular ambitions—just to have fun and entertain the American fans.”
Cairoli previously raced in the U.S. in 2022 after retiring from racing full-time. He raced five rounds that year with a season-best fifth coming at Thunder Valley.
In 2025, Cairoli has raced two rounds of the FIM World Motocross Championship (MXGP of Trentino and MXGP of Great Britain) with his best finish a 7th in Britain.
“Bringing the Desmo450 MX to race in the U.S. is a significant milestone in our off-road racing project,” said Paolo Ciabatti, General Manager of Ducati Corse Off-Road. “The level of competition in AMA Pro Motocross is extremely high, and having a rider of Antonio’s experience allows us to accelerate our development in real race conditions. These rounds are not just about results—they are about learning, adapting, and furthering the evolution of our motocross platform in preparation for the future.”
