Ducati, Troy Lee Designs Unveil Desmo450 MX at Anaheim Supercross

Ducati and Troy Lee Designs made motorsports history on January 10, 2025, unveiling the Desmo450 MX dirt bike at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, during Press Day for the opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series. The collaboration marks Ducati’s first foray into the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), bringing its MotoGP-winning pedigree to the dirt bike racing scene.

The Desmo450 MX prototype, designed by Troy Lee himself, was showcased to media and industry insiders ahead of the 83rd AMA Supercross season opener. Ducati, fresh off a dominant 2024 MotoGP season where it won all but one race and secured its sixth constructor’s championship, aims to make a splash in the SMX series. The first motocross bikes are expected to arrive in North America by July 2025, with homologation efforts underway to allow racing as early as RedBud in July.

“We are super stoked to be partnering with Ducati, one of the most prestigious brands in motorcycling,” said Troy Lee, founder of Troy Lee Designs. “Racing is core to our brand and enables us to develop our products for safety at the highest performance levels. I look forward to making history together with this partnership.”

The announcement was part of a whirlwind day at Angel Stadium, which also included press conferences, track sessions, and the premiere of the Pay Dirt documentary. The Ducati/Troy Lee Designs partnership will tour the Desmo450 MX at eight Supercross rounds, including Anaheim 1 and 2, San Diego, Tampa, Arlington, East Rutherford, Pittsburgh, and the season finale in Salt Lake City. The bike will also make an appearance at the MotoGP race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The unveiling comes amid a challenging week for Southern California, as wildfires affected many in the region, including several members of the motocross community. Despite the adversity, the excitement for the new season was palpable, with riders and fans alike eager to see how Ducati’s entry into the SMX series will shake up the competition.