The Ducati Desmo250 MX made an impressive racing debut in the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship, proving both competitive and reliable on the challenging sands of Ottobiano.
Raced by Team Beddini Factory Racing, the brand-new machine secured a podium finish with Alessandro Lupino, who battled through adversity to deliver a remarkable performance.
Despite nursing a painful and swollen wrist, the reigning Italian MX1 Champion showed his trademark resilience, making history for both himself and Ducati. It had been a decade since Lupino last raced a 250cc four-stroke, and this marked his first-ever appearance in the Italian MX2 class. With 44 podiums to his name in MX1, he added another to his record by taking third overall in the Desmo250 MX’s competitive debut.
“I’m really happy—we did a great job, and I have to give full credit to the Ducati team,” Lupino said. “They worked a miracle. The Desmo250 MX has only been running for three weeks, and we originally came here just to test.”
Lupino set the tone early, topping his group in official practice on Saturday before posting the fastest time in the next session to earn the second gate pick for Sunday’s motos.
In race one, the 34-year-old started just outside the top five but quickly climbed to third by the second lap, setting a strong pace as he reeled in second place. However, an aggressive move from a rival sent him to the ground, damaging his bike and further aggravating his wrist. Determined to salvage points, he pushed through the pain to finish 10th.
“We could have finished second in both motos if I hadn’t been taken out,” Lupino admitted. “But I gritted my teeth and did what I could to bring it home.”
Race two saw Lupino emerge fifth from the first corner before charging into second within three laps. Finding his rhythm, he held his ground to secure third overall—a well-earned reward for both his perseverance and the bike’s outstanding debut.
“To stand on the podium with such a competitive bike on its first race is an amazing feeling,” he added.
Leaving Ottobiano, Lupino sits third in the championship standings with 290 points. The next round of the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship takes place at Mantova on March 29-30, a venue where he debuted the Desmo450 MX one year ago.
