Cairoli Shines in Ducati Desmo450 MX RedBud Debut

Antonio Cairoli delivers a top-10 finish in Ducati’s Desmo450 MX debut at RedBud, showing strong pace before an early retirement in moto two.

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Ducati’s long-awaited entry into American motocross made a bold statement as the Desmo450 MX made its competitive debut at the legendary RedBud circuit in Michigan. With nine-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli at the helm, the Italian marque showcased both speed and potential in Round 6 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Cairoli Brings World-Class Experience

Fresh off Grand Marshal duties at Southwick, Cairoli quickly shifted into race mode, using his limited track time wisely during the intense 20-minute timed qualifying sessions. Despite the steep learning curve of AMA motocross formats, Cairoli placed 10th out of 80 riders, an early indication of what the Desmo450 MX is capable of.

In the opening moto, the Sicilian star launched into the top five by the first corner. Although a stuck start hook caused an early drop in positions, Cairoli found his rhythm mid-race and powered his way back to finish ninth, fighting off stiff competition in the process.

A Promising Second Moto Cut Short

In the second moto, Cairoli built on his earlier momentum with an even stronger start, lotting into fourth and mounting a charge for the podium. He briefly challenged for third, but his race was cut short by an unfortunate electrical issue, forcing an early retirement. Still, the pace and competitiveness shown in the early laps hinted at the bike’s potential.

Building for the Future

The RedBud outing marks the beginning of Ducati’s North American off-road journey with the Desmo450 MX, developed with the help of Factory Connection. While the team faced expected teething issues, the performance ceiling is high. With further testing planned before the next round in Millville, Minnesota, expectations remain bright.

Cairoli’s Take

“It was an amazing experience to ride here in RedBud,” said Cairoli. “We’re here to test and develop the bike, and these things can happen. But I was happy with my pace, and I’m confident we can keep improving. I’m looking forward to a good week of training and another top 10 at Millville.”

With RedBud behind them, Ducati and Cairoli have laid a solid foundation for what could be an exciting new chapter in American motocross.