DIRT NEWS

racing and test rider . We can expect Ducati to not enter the motocross paddock half-cocked with the brand outlining the project ’ s goals as “ a combination of the search for lightness pushed to the extreme , top-of-the-line components and engines characterised by a very broad power delivery curve .” Interestingly , the latter is set to be obtained thanks to the use of the Ducati ’ s Desmodromic valve system , which is used on all the sports bikes of the Bologna-based company starting from MotoGP . “ I am proud to announce Ducati ’ s entry into Motocross ”, Claudio Domenicali , CEO of Ducati Motor Holding , commented . “ A totally new world for Ducati in which we want to bring our talent in designing lightweight motorcycles , with

excellent components and high performance and , above all , which can excite more and more motorcyclists . Just as we believe that the track is the best laboratory to develop and test the bikes that will then be available to customers and enthusiasts . This is why we have decided to cooperate with an undisputed champion like Tony Cairoli who , together with the passion and dedication of many of us here in Borgo Panigale , will contribute to making Ducati in off-road as capable in offering very high-performance products to its passionate customers as we have proven on the asphalt . The project is possible thanks to the company ’ s excellent results in recent years and confirms our desire to extend our presence into new worlds , speak to new motorcyclists and therefore grow the Ducati Community .”

FIM Hard Enduro World Championship , Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ’ s Manuel Lettenbichler has clinched the championship with a dominant victory at the Hixpania Hard Enduro in Spain . With his latest victory , the KTM 300 EXC racer secured back-to-back world championship titles with one round to spare . It ’ s an unsurprising result , with Lettenbichler remaining unbeaten throughout the 2023 FIM Hard Enduro season so far . Lettenbichler made it five wins in a row with his victory at Hixpania to

KIWI RIDER 97