Ducati Corse Off-Road, in collaboration with Ducati North America, has announced that nine-time Motocross World Champion Antonio Cairoli will compete in two rounds of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship—RedBud on July 5 and Spring Creek on July 12—aboard the Desmo450 MX.
These races will mark a historic moment for Ducati, with the Desmo450 MX making its first-ever competitive appearances on North American soil. Cairoli’s entry also signals his return to the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, having previously raced in the series in 2022. RedBud and Spring Creek—two of the most iconic and challenging tracks in the U.S.—will serve as valuable testing grounds for Ducati as it continues refining its premier motocross machine under real race conditions.
Before hitting the track, Cairoli will appear as Grand Marshal at the Southwick National on Saturday, June 28, where he’ll meet fans and support Ducati’s growing off-road presence in the U.S.
Fresh from a strong seventh overall at the MXGP of Great Britain, Cairoli sees the American outing as both a technical development opportunity and a chance to connect with the motocross community.
“This American trip is very interesting, especially from a commercial and marketing point of view,” Cairoli said. “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. We’ll be racing with the production bike to introduce it directly to American fans and enthusiasts. Before that, I’ll be in Southwick as Grand Marshal—no particular ambitions, just to have fun and entertain the fans.”
Paolo Ciabatti, General Manager of Ducati Corse Off-Road, added:
“Bringing the Desmo450 MX to race in the U.S. is a significant milestone in our off-road project. The level of competition in AMA Pro Motocross is incredibly high, and having a rider with Antonio’s experience allows us to accelerate our development in real-world race conditions. These rounds are not just about results—they’re about learning, adapting, and continuing the evolution of our motocross platform.”
