Ducati Unveils Limited-Edition Formula 73 Honouring 1972 Imola Glory

Exclusive 873-unit café racer pays tribute to the legendary 750 Super Sport Desmo.

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Ducati has officially revealed the Formula 73, a limited-edition motorcycle created to celebrate the brand’s rich racing heritage and its iconic victory at the 1972 Imola 200. 

Inspired by the legendary Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo, the model itself is closely linked to Ducati’s triumph at the Imola 200 and the Formula 73 will be limited to just 873 units worldwide. 

Also, each motorcycle features a unique numbered steering plate and comes with a premium presentation box containing archival photographs and sketches from the Ducati Style Centre. To complete the tribute, Ducati has also designed a matching Arai helmet and riding jacket finished in the exclusive Formula 73 colour scheme.

A Nod to Ducati’s Racing Roots

The original 750 Super Sport was a replica of the 750 Imola Desmo machine ridden to victory by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari at the 1972 200 Miglia di Imola, the first major European race dedicated to production-derived motorcycles.

That era laid the groundwork for the Formula 750 class in the 1980s, which would eventually evolve into the modern World Superbike Championship as we know it today.

The new Formula 73 revives that spirit through distinctive styling cues, including the signature silver and aqua green livery reminiscent of the famed “green frame” racing replica. A vertical gold stripe runs along the fuel tank, echoing the original unpainted strip on the Imola race bike that allowed mechanics to visually monitor fuel levels without a gauge.

Scrambler Café Racer Foundation

The Formula 73 is based on the Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer platform, enhanced with a model-specific café racer front fairing for a more aggressive retro silhouette.

Premium racing-inspired components are supplied by Rizoma, including brake and clutch levers with integrated oil reservoirs, bespoke footpegs and a machined fuel cap.

Classic Looks, Modern Performance

Power comes from an 803cc air-cooled L-twin engine featuring Ducati’s signature desmodromic valve system. The unit produces 73 hp and 65 Nm of torque, paired to a six-speed gearbox.

Despite its old-school aesthetics, the Formula 73 is equipped with modern electronics, including:

• Ride-by-wire throttle
• Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
• Cornering ABS
• Ducati Quick Shift
• Two riding modes (Sport and Road)

Suspension duties are handled by a 41 mm KYB upside-down front fork and a KYB rear shock with preload adjustment. Braking performance is delivered via a 4-piston Brembo radial caliper gripping a 330 mm front disc. The special edition bike rides on Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, sized 120/70 at the front and 180/55 at the rear. Overal weight no fuel just 183 Kg.

With only 873 units set for global production, the Ducati Formula 73 stands as both a collector’s piece and a rolling homage to one of the most defining chapters in the Italian marque’s racing history.