Ducati Shows Strong Pace in Glendale Supercross

Improved starts and Desmo450 MX power highlight progress for Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Team with Ferrandis Battles Injury for Top-10.

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The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Team delivered a determined performance under hot and sunny conditions at the Glendale Supercross, a round shaped by the longest start straight of the season and relentless full-throttle action from gate drop to chequered flag.

The Glendale layout rewarded power and clean launches, and the Ducati Desmo450 MX answered the call. Noticeably improved starts throughout the day underlined the bike’s strong horsepower and signalled a clear step forward for the Italian machine. Although the morning began with setup challenges, the crew worked through the issues, finding solutions that turned the event into a productive development outing.

Ferrandis Overcomes Early Setback

French rider Dylan Ferrandis arrived feeling under the weather but determined to compete. His day took an early blow during Qualifying 1 when he was struck by a rock thrown up by another rider. The impact caused a cut above his eyebrow that required stitches, forcing him to end the session early.

With less track time than most of the field, Ferrandis regrouped for Qualifying 2, finishing 15th overall and securing a spot in Heat Race 2.

Strong Starts the Key Highlight

The heat race produced one of the team’s biggest positives of the night, the start. Ferrandis launched well off the gate, running fourth in a stacked field before eventually crossing the line in eighth.

That momentum carried into the Main Event. Another excellent getaway saw Ferrandis inside the top five on the opening lap. After being shuffled back in the early laps, he battled consistently in the 7th–8th range before settling into ninth by lap nine, where he would ultimately finish. The result marked his fourth top-ten finish of the season and his third P9 result so far.

“It was overall a very difficult day for me,” Ferrandis explained. “I came to this race a little sick. Then in first practice I was hit by a rock and had to go for stitches. We lost one full practice and I struggled a lot with the feeling on the track. But the starts were very, very positive. We made changes for the main event and it was better. Bad start to the day, but we salvaged the result.”

Positive Signs for Ducati Project

Despite the setbacks, Glendale proved to be an encouraging round for the Ducati programme. Improved launches, stronger race pace and continued refinement of the Desmo450 MX showed clear progress. The team’s ability to adapt under pressure and still secure another solid top-ten result underlines growing confidence as the season continues.