Ducati Opens 2026 with Iconic Centenary Liveries

Ducati launches its 2026 racing season with two special MotoGP liveries honouring historic victories as the brand enters its Centenary year.

Subscribe to our Instagram Channel for instant news & updates!

Ducati has ushered in the 2026 racing season with a powerful blend of nostalgia and engineering dominance, unveiling two special liveries during the post-season MotoGP test in Valencia. The designs pay homage to two defining eras in the brand’s near-100-year history. It perfectly sets the tone for Ducati’s upcoming Centenary celebrations in 2026.

The debut of these liveries comes just days after Ducati wrapped up one of the most commanding seasons in modern motorsport. Thus, reaffirming its status as the benchmark in global motorcycle racing.

A Visual Tribute to Ducati’s Greatest Racing Triumphs

Francesco Bagnaia and Nicolò Bulega rolled out of the pit lane in Valencia, adorned in colours inspired by two legendary Ducati machines:

• Bagnaia’s Desmosedici GP channels the spirit of the 750 Imola Desmo, immortalised by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari’s historic 1–2 finish at the 1972 Imola 200 Miles.
• Bulega’s machine carries a tribute to the 750 Supersport Desmo, the same bike Franco Uncini rode to the Italian 750cc Championship crown in 1975.

These liveries serve as Ducati’s first public step toward its 100th anniversary. It is an elegant fusion of heritage with the most advanced MotoGP prototype on the grid.

A 2025 Season Defined by Total Dominance

The celebration is well earned. Ducati’s 2025 MotoGP campaign was nothing short of overwhelming:

• Marc Márquez clinched the Riders’ Championship with five races remaining, demonstrating a level of superiority rarely seen in the modern era.
• Ducati secured a championship one-two, with Álex Márquez finishing second overall.
• Bagnaia ensured a top-five lock-in, further showcasing the depth of Ducati’s talent pool.
• The Bologna-built manufacturer extended its record streak with a sixth consecutive Constructors’ Title.
• The Ducati Lenovo Team captured the Teams’ Championship, with Gresini Racing and VR46 completing a Ducati clean sweep of the top three.

Most impressively, the Desmosedici GP stood on the podium in every single race, a remarkable stat, especially with Ducati operating under zero technical concessions. It underscored the maturity, refinement, and competitive edge of its engineering programme.

Success Across All Fronts: From WorldSBK to Production Racing

Ducati’s winning trajectory was not limited to MotoGP.

2025 marked the final competitive season for the current-generation Panigale V4 R. It also exited with the same ferocity it entered.

• Ducati secured its 21st Manufacturers’ Title, an astonishing tally across 38 seasons.
• Nicolò Bulega pushed the title fight to the very last race, finishing runner-up after a fierce championship battle.

A brand-new generation of Ducati superbikes will take over from 2026, further signalling a new technical era for the marque.

Production-Based Championships

Ducati’s excellence extended to national series:

• The seventh-generation Panigale V4 captured the CIV SBK Production Bike title.
• Ducati repeated the achievement in Germany, winning the IDM Superbike Championship.
• At the iconic Daytona 200, the Panigale V2 claimed victory at the legendary Florida circuit.

These results reinforced the effectiveness of Ducati’s production-to-racing technology transfer—one of the company’s core philosophies.

Off-Road Progress: Ducati’s Expanding Competitive Frontier

2025 was also a milestone year for Ducati’s off-road ambitions:

• In its first full MXGP campaign, Ducati fielded Jeremy Seewer and Mattia Guadagnini, earning podium finishes in Switzerland and France.
• In MX2, Alessandro Lupino guided the Desmo250 MX to second overall in the Italian Pro Prestige Championship.
• Ducati made its official Motocross of Nations debut, represented by icons Antonio Cairoli and Jeremy Seewer.

These achievements lay the groundwork for Ducati’s eagerly awaited entry into the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship, signalling the company’s growing commitment to off-road racing.

A Landmark Year Leading into Ducati’s Centenary

Ducati’s 2025 campaign marked the culmination of nearly a century of engineering excellence, racing passion, and Italian identity. The results across MotoGP, WorldSBK, national superbike series, and off-road competition further cement the brand’s role as a global performance leader.

All of this builds momentum for an unforgettable year ahead: Ducati’s 100th anniversary in 2026.

The celebrations will reach their peak during World Ducati Week 2026, scheduled for 3–5 July, where thousands of Ducatisti and legendary riders will gather to honour one of the most storied manufacturers in motorcycling history.

With a pair of liveries that pay tribute to its greatest racing triumphs, Ducati has entered the 2026 season by bridging its illustrious past with its relentless pursuit of performance. Following a season of unparalleled dominance across multiple racing categories, Ducati stands ready to celebrate its Centenary not merely with memories of its heritage but with a future shaped by innovation, competitive spirit, and unmistakable Italian flair.