Ducati is taking a bold new turn—literally. The iconic Italian manufacturer is set to debut its Desmo450 MX in the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship, marking an exciting entry into one of motorsport's most thrilling disciplines. This isn't just another race bike; it's a statement of intent from a brand synonymous with performance and innovation.
The British-based VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team will run a two-rider lineup across the ten-round series. VRX Management, best known for overseeing the Great Britain Speedway Team, has teamed up with Dirt Store—one of the UK's leading suppliers of off-road apparel and gear—to bring Ducati's flat track ambitions to life. The team will field British riders Tim Neave and Ashton Boughen, a pairing that blends experience with raw potential.
At 30, Neave is the reigning British champion and a former British Superbike Championship contender. He made his FIM Flat Track World Championship debut in 2023 and came tantalizingly close to an FIM bronze medal last season, missing out only on a tie-break. With four podiums under his belt but still chasing his first victory at the highest level, Neave is determined to climb from his current sixth-place ranking. Meanwhile, his teenage teammate, 18-year-old Boughen, is regarded as a serious up-and-coming talent. After racing Motocross for Yamaha Europe and recently competing in Speedway, Boughen has decided to focus fully on the FIM Flat Track World Championship—a steep but promising learning curve for 2026.
Both riders will pilot Ducati's groundbreaking Desmo450 MX, a machine developed in collaboration with nine-time FIM Motocross World Champion Tony Cairoli. Featuring desmodromic timing, this bike combines cutting-edge technology with race-proven performance, making it a formidable contender on the dirt. It's a move that signals Ducati's commitment to pushing boundaries beyond the asphalt and into the slideways of flat track racing.
The 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship has expanded from six to ten rounds, reflecting its fast-growing popularity. The season kicks off on May 9 in Roden, Netherlands, and spans five and a half months across eight countries and two continents. It culminates with two rounds in Argentina over the weekend of October 24-25—the championship's first-ever dates outside Europe. This global expansion underscores the sport's rising appeal and sets the stage for Ducati's dramatic entrance.
Fabrizio Cazzoli, Managing Director of Ducati UK, summed up the excitement: "Ducati UK is delighted to extend its congratulations to the newly established VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team." For Ducati fans and flat track enthusiasts alike, 2026 can't come soon enough.