Ducati Cross: the denial arrives

Shortly before the end of 2018, the news of Ducati's possible entry into the world of knobby wheels had spread almost everywhere thanks to the launch of a new cross bike. We immediately questioned how real and credible the news that appeared in those hours on various authoritative sites was.

The news of the production of cross bikes by the Borgo Panigale company circulates and resurfaces almost on a regular basis, but this time several aspects and details seemed credible. Unfortunately, however, to ride a Bolognese motorcycle on dirt roads you will have to wait several years, if it is ever produced. To get to the bottom of the matter, we contacted those directly involved who, even if unofficially, assured us that the production of motocross bikes is not planned and that an official note will probably not even be released to deny the rumors that have circulated in recent years. days.

With the production of motocross bikes 100% ruled out, one wonders what the future has in store for Ducati and what the next projects will be. The company will certainly continue its research and development work on the new V4 engines, which we will also see in the future on other models and not only on the super sports car, but there will probably be more. One of the objectives for the imminent future is to bring home the Mondale, both in MotoGP and in SBK, and then be able to start thinking about the minor categories. In fact, it is no mystery that Eng. Dall'Igna, General Director of Ducati, is interested in Moto3, just as it is no secret that the Bolognese brand does not have great appeal in the Asian market. To 'win' in that area of ​​the world against the Japanese and in recent years also Chinese giants, you need small-displacement motorcycles which Ducati does not currently have in its list. So, what better showcase than a small-displacement championship, be it Moto3 or Supersport 300 (this is perhaps the last championship they think of), to launch 'small' bikes?.

For the next few years, a Cross bike should therefore be excluded, while a small displacement in the future, we are talking about a minimum of five years, is not such an absurd hypothesis.

Photo: imotorbike.my