Sure! Here’s a 900-word summary article styled for a motorcycle or motorsports publication, recapping the Ducati Desmo450 MX test event with insights from the MotoOnline Feedback podcast with Nic Still and Dylan Wills:
Ducati Desmo450 MX First Ride: Breaking New Ground in Motocross
Last week, Ducati made a historic leap into uncharted territory, unveiling its much-anticipated 2026 Desmo450 MX near its home base in Bologna, Italy. The world’s media was invited to get an exclusive first look and ride of the Italian marque’s inaugural motocross model. MotoOnline was among the select outlets present, and in the latest episode of the Feedback podcast, hosts Nic Still and test rider Dylan Wills shared in-depth impressions from a day on the bike.
The Desmo450 MX represents Ducati’s serious commitment to the world of motocross—an arena long dominated by established Japanese and Austrian brands. For a company steeped in road racing and premium street bikes, entering dirt competition is a bold move. But Ducati appears to have done its homework—and then some.
First Impressions: A Statement of Intent
According to Wills, the Desmo450 MX immediately impressed with its build quality and attention to detail. “The first thing you notice is that it looks like a Ducati—sleek, purposeful, and aggressive,” Wills noted. “But it’s not just for show. The bike feels every bit a race machine from the moment you throw a leg over it.”
Nic Still added that Ducati has clearly drawn on its vast engineering experience, blending cutting-edge technology with racing DNA. The bike is designed in close collaboration with Ducati Corse, and this influence is evident in everything from the componentry to the chassis setup.
Performance: Punchy Power and Italian Precision
Ducati’s Desmo450 MX features a high-revving, DOHC 450cc single-cylinder engine that channels the brand’s signature desmodromic valve system into the dirt world. Wills explained that the engine delivered a smooth but potent power curve, with plenty of usable torque across the rev range. “It’s got this really linear power delivery—no crazy hit, just strong pull all the way through,” he said.
The engine character, paired with a lightweight chromoly steel frame and top-tier suspension (KYB front and rear), gave the bike a confidence-inspiring feel. “In the tighter, more technical sections, it felt nimble and balanced. And when you open it up, there’s more than enough on tap to stretch it out,” Wills described.
Still added that Ducati is targeting not just amateur riders but top-tier competition. The goal is to enter the Desmo450 MX into the 2025 MXGP World Championship with the Ducati Corse Off-Road team led by Antonio Cairoli—an eight-time world champion and key figure in the bike’s development.
Handling and Suspension: Race-Ready Setup
Feedback from Wills indicated that the suspension setup is tuned on the firmer side, aiming more toward race pace than recreational comfort. “It’s stiff, especially on small bumps, but when you ride it like it’s meant to be ridden—fast—it comes into its own,” he said.
The KYB suspension package, combined with the rigid but responsive frame, offers stability under braking and through high-speed sections, while maintaining agility in the corners. Ducati appears to have focused heavily on centralizing mass and weight distribution, something that helped the bike feel light when switching directions.
Ergonomics and Fit
Ergonomically, the Desmo450 MX strikes a good balance between European and Japanese layouts. Wills commented on the comfortable cockpit and natural riding position: “The bars, seat, and peg triangle feels really neutral—something riders of all backgrounds could gel with quickly.”
The plastics are minimal but sleek, and Ducati has clearly paid attention to rider feedback during development, ensuring that nothing obstructs movement around the bike. “It’s definitely a rider-focused design,” Still added.
Electronics and Tech
While not overloaded with electronics, Ducati has included selective technology designed for competition. Wills said the team had access to multiple engine maps and launch control settings during the test. “They’ve kept it simple but effective—nothing gimmicky, just what you need to go fast,” he said.
One standout was the quick-shifter—uncommon on motocross bikes but present here in a refined form. It’s unclear whether this feature will make it to production models, but it impressed during testing.
The Big Picture: Ducati’s Long Game
Both Wills and Still agreed that the Desmo450 MX isn’t just a vanity project for Ducati. The Italian brand is fully committed to off-road racing, with a multi-year strategy that includes professional competition, grassroots involvement, and eventual market availability.
Wills emphasized that while the test bike wasn’t yet in final production spec, it already felt remarkably refined. “It doesn’t feel like a first draft—it feels like Ducati has been doing this for a while,” he said.
That’s a testament not only to the team’s engineering but also to the involvement of experienced motocross professionals like Cairoli, who has tested and refined the bike extensively over the past year.
Final Thoughts
The Ducati Desmo450 MX isn’t just an exciting new chapter—it might be a game-changer. With serious investment, factory-level ambition, and a performance-focused package, Ducati’s first motocross bike has arrived with authority.
“It’s not perfect yet—but it’s close,” Wills concluded. “Give them another year, and they’ll be a serious threat in the paddock.”
With production models expected in limited release in late 2025 ahead of a wider 2026 rollout, motocross fans around the world will soon have the chance to see—and feel—how Ducati does dirt.
Let me know if you’d like this formatted for a blog post, press release, or something else!
Sure! Here’s a 900-word summary article styled for a motorcycle or motorsports publication, recapping the Ducati Desmo450 MX test event with insights from the MotoOnline Feedback podcast with Nic Still and Dylan Wills:
Ducati Desmo450 MX First Ride: Breaking New Ground in Motocross
Last week, Ducati made a historic leap into uncharted territory, unveiling its much-anticipated 2026 Desmo450 MX near its home base in Bologna, Italy. The world’s media was invited to get an exclusive first look and ride of the Italian marque’s inaugural motocross model. MotoOnline was among the select outlets present, and in the latest episode of the Feedback podcast, hosts Nic Still and test rider Dylan Wills shared in-depth impressions from a day on the bike.
The Desmo450 MX represents Ducati’s serious commitment to the world of motocross—an arena long dominated by established Japanese and Austrian brands. For a company steeped in road racing and premium street bikes, entering dirt competition is a bold move. But Ducati appears to have done its homework—and then some.
First Impressions: A Statement of Intent
According to Wills, the Desmo450 MX immediately impressed with its build quality and attention to detail. “The first thing you notice is that it looks like a Ducati—sleek, purposeful, and aggressive,” Wills noted. “But it’s not just for show. The bike feels every bit a race machine from the moment you throw a leg over it.”
Nic Still added that Ducati has clearly drawn on its vast engineering experience, blending cutting-edge technology with racing DNA. The bike is designed in close collaboration with Ducati Corse, and this influence is evident in everything from the componentry to the chassis setup.
Performance: Punchy Power and Italian Precision
Ducati’s Desmo450 MX features a high-revving, DOHC 450cc single-cylinder engine that channels the brand’s signature desmodromic valve system into the dirt world. Wills explained that the engine delivered a smooth but potent power curve, with plenty of usable torque across the rev range. “It’s got this really linear power delivery—no crazy hit, just strong pull all the way through,” he said.
The engine character, paired with a lightweight chromoly steel frame and top-tier suspension (KYB front and rear), gave the bike a confidence-inspiring feel. “In the tighter, more technical sections, it felt nimble and balanced. And when you open it up, there’s more than enough on tap to stretch it out,” Wills described.
Still added that Ducati is targeting not just amateur riders but top-tier competition. The goal is to enter the Desmo450 MX into the 2025 MXGP World Championship with the Ducati Corse Off-Road team led by Antonio Cairoli—an eight-time world champion and key figure in the bike’s development.
Handling and Suspension: Race-Ready Setup
Feedback from Wills indicated that the suspension setup is tuned on the firmer side, aiming more toward race pace than recreational comfort. “It’s stiff, especially on small bumps, but when you ride it like it’s meant to be ridden—fast—it comes into its own,” he said.
The KYB suspension package, combined with the rigid but responsive frame, offers stability under braking and through high-speed sections, while maintaining agility in the corners. Ducati appears to have focused heavily on centralizing mass and weight distribution, something that helped the bike feel light when switching directions.
Ergonomics and Fit
Ergonomically, the Desmo450 MX strikes a good balance between European and Japanese layouts. Wills commented on the comfortable cockpit and natural riding position: “The bars, seat, and peg triangle feels really neutral—something riders of all backgrounds could gel with quickly.”
The plastics are minimal but sleek, and Ducati has clearly paid attention to rider feedback during development, ensuring that nothing obstructs movement around the bike. “It’s definitely a rider-focused design,” Still added.
Electronics and Tech
While not overloaded with electronics, Ducati has included selective technology designed for competition. Wills said the team had access to multiple engine maps and launch control settings during the test. “They’ve kept it simple but effective—nothing gimmicky, just what you need to go fast,” he said.
One standout was the quick-shifter—uncommon on motocross bikes but present here in a refined form. It’s unclear whether this feature will make it to production models, but it impressed during testing.
The Big Picture: Ducati’s Long Game
Both Wills and Still agreed that the Desmo450 MX isn’t just a vanity project for Ducati. The Italian brand is fully committed to off-road racing, with a multi-year strategy that includes professional competition, grassroots involvement, and eventual market availability.
Wills emphasized that while the test bike wasn’t yet in final production spec, it already felt remarkably refined. “It doesn’t feel like a first draft—it feels like Ducati has been doing this for a while,” he said.
That’s a testament not only to the team’s engineering but also to the involvement of experienced motocross professionals like Cairoli, who has tested and refined the bike extensively over the past year.
Final Thoughts
The Ducati Desmo450 MX isn’t just an exciting new chapter—it might be a game-changer. With serious investment, factory-level ambition, and a performance-focused package, Ducati’s first motocross bike has arrived with authority.
“It’s not perfect yet—but it’s close,” Wills concluded. “Give them another year, and they’ll be a serious threat in the paddock.”
With production models expected in limited release in late 2025 ahead of a wider 2026 rollout, motocross fans around the world will soon have the chance to see—and feel—how Ducati does dirt.
Let me know if you’d like this formatted for a blog post, press release, or something else!
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