Ducati joins the 100 Year club along with Indian Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, BMW, Husqvarna, Norton and Peugeot. With passion and excellent at the top of the list, what will another 100 years bring for Ducati riders? We can only guess as they are no longer a standalone brand but under the Volkswagen Group umbrella. Let’s ride into what happened at World Ducati Week here at TMW! Ducati’s 100th anniversary: Rider Passion & Motorbike Excellence.
Ducati’s centenary World Ducati Week exploded past every expectation, pulling in 118,036 riders from 94 countries and turning Misano into a global red sea of passion. The weekend delivered everything from legendary laps to an 18 km Ducati parade stretching across the Riviera, capped by a Saturday‑night drone show painting Ducati history across the sky. With 275 official clubs, 37 world titles represented, and Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali calling it “the biggest and most international edition ever,” the numbers back him up: 95,000 photos, 105 hours of video, 110 hours of entertainment, and a digital footprint hitting 20 million impressions and 700,000 livestream viewers for the Lenovo Race of Champions.
The racing action was pure Ducati theatre. The Lenovo Race of Champions put today’s top Ducati racers on identical Panigale V4 Tricolore machines, delivering a spectacle only Ducati could pull off. Nicolò Bulega took the win ahead of Alberto Surra and Lorenzo Baldassarri, while qualifying, parades, and the “Live the Legend Night” kept the energy pinned all weekend. Ducati legends like Fogarty, Bayliss, Stoner, and Capirossi returned to the track for the Lap of Honour, reminding everyone why this brand commands such fierce loyalty. Even the Rustida barbecue became a moment, with 75 Ducati managers serving food to fans… a uniquely Borgo Panigale touch.
The centenary celebration didn’t stop at Misano. Back at headquarters, Ducati unveiled its “Manuale del Made in Italy secondo Ducati”, alongside a new podcast, docu‑film, and collaborations with Italian artists, all part of a year‑long tribute to the brand’s 100‑year legacy. But WDW remained the crown jewel: three days of racing, heritage, community, and spectacle that proved Ducati still knows exactly how to celebrate its past while firing up its future.
Read More from the great coverage from the Ducati 100th Anniversary Celebration:
100 Years and a Record-Breaking World Ducati Week!
- 118,036 attendees from around the world over the three-day event made the Centenary World Ducati Week the biggest and most international edition ever
- On Saturday evening, hundreds of drones lit up the skies over Misano, creating an extraordinary aerial choreography with iconic images from Ducati’s history painted across the night sky
- The Lenovo Race of Champions once again delivered a unique spectacle, bringing together today’s greatest Ducati champions on the same starting grid, with Nicolò Bulega taking victory ahead of Alberto Surra and Lorenzo Baldassarri
- Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO: “The Centenary edition of World Ducati Week exceeded every expectation, with extraordinary attendance making it the biggest and most international edition ever.”
Ducati celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer with an unprecedented event that brought together, in one place, enthusiasts, champions, legends and the motorcycles that have written – and continue to write – the history of Ducati. For three days, the Misano World Circuit became the beating heart of the event that, every two years, brings together the global Ducati community.
The numbers from World Ducati Week 2026 tell the story of an unprecedented edition that set new records and once again demonstrated that Ducati passion knows no boundaries. Nearly 120,000 attendees (118,036) over the three-day gathering welcomed enthusiasts from 94 countries across five continents, who came to enjoy three days of entertainment and excitement under the banner of “Live the Legend – Celebrate 100 Years Together.”
For an entire weekend, past, present and future shared the same place. The stars of the event were the legends who wrote some of the most memorable chapters in Ducati’s history, alongside the champions who today carry Ducati’s colours to the pinnacle of motorsport, bringing no fewer than 37 World Championship titles to the Misano circuit. The motorcycles that continue to inspire dreams and thousands of Ducatisti gave life to an edition that conveys the true spirit of the Centenary World Ducati Week better than words ever could.
“World Ducati Week has always been a special occasion, but the Centenary edition exceeded every expectation. For three days, the Misano paddock became the heart of Ducati passion, with extraordinary attendance making this the biggest and most international WDW ever. The image that will stay with me forever is Friday’s parade: an endless red snake of Ducati bikes stretching for 18 kilometres across the Romagna Riviera, seemingly without end. By the time the head of the parade had already reached Riccione, the last motorcycles were still leaving the track… On Saturday we reached the Circuit’s maximum capacity, and that evening the drone show lit up the skies over Misano, telling the story of the motorcycles and the milestones that have marked these 100 years of Ducati. At that moment, I reflected on how far we have come, and I felt an emotion that is difficult to put into words. I knew the Centenary would be a special occasion, but seeing it all come to life with such incredible participation and enthusiasm truly surpassed every expectation.” said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this extraordinary World Ducati Week possible: to the Ducatisti who travelled from every corner of the world; to our employees, who worked with passion and dedication for months to create such a special event; to the Ducati legends, never before gathered together in such numbers on a single occasion; and to today’s champions. This World Ducati Week will remain in Ducati’s history, but above all in the hearts of all of us. Thank you.”
The fourth edition of the Lenovo Race of Champions once again delivered a show unlike any other in international motorcycling. Riders from Ducati MotoGP, WorldSBK, WorldSSP and the leading national championships lined up together on the same starting grid, each aboard an exclusive Panigale V4 Tricolore customised with their own racing livery. Victory in the 2026 edition went to Nicolò Bulega, who followed up his pole position in Saturday’s qualifying with a flawless race, finishing ahead of Alberto Surra and Lorenzo Baldassarri.
Three days packed with excitement began on Friday with some of the most iconic moments of every edition, including the traditional parade that painted the Romagna Riviera red. Led by Claudio Domenicali and Misano Mayor Fabrizio Piccioni, together with Ducati’s management, the parade brought together the brand’s foremost enthusiasts and ambassadors. For the Centenary edition, the red motorcycles from Borgo Panigale filled the entire 18-kilometre route from the Misano World Circuit to Samsara Beach in Riccione.
Saturday delivered one of the most emotional moments of the Centenary World Ducati Week. As the sun set, the Misano World Circuit was transformed into a spectacular open-air stage, where greetings from Ducati and Ducati Corse management, employees, official dealers, partners, sponsors and Ducati Official Clubs alternated throughout a celebration hosted by the unmistakable voice of Francesco Pannofino, who recounted the unique bond between the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and its community.
The audience was deeply moved by appearances from Casey Stoner, Troy Bayliss, Carl Fogarty and Loris Capirossi, who took to the stage before the champions currently writing Ducati’s racing history, including Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Nicolò Bulega. It was a truly unique moment, with no fewer than 36 riders lined up on the circuit alongside their motorcycles in the same year Ducati also celebrates its 100th MotoGP victory.
What made the evening truly unforgettable was the drone and fireworks show that lit up the skies over Misano, enchanting the audience with a choreography dedicated to Ducati’s 100th anniversary and providing a finale worthy of a milestone that has already become part of history.
An essential part of every WDW, the D.O.C. (Ducati Official Clubs) once again took centre stage, arriving from every corner of the World to celebrate Ducati’s 100th anniversary together. A total of 275 clubs from across the globe brought their enthusiasm, colours and passion, energising every moment of the event.
The Centenary WDW also set new records in the digital world: FantaWDW recorded more than 220,000 sessions, the event’s dedicated web pages generated more than 2 million page views and 21 million social media impressions. The Lenovo Race of Champions livestream was watched by 700,000 users from all over the world.
The programme of the Centenary WDW was unprecedented.
Among the many new features, alongside the Lenovo Race of Champions, the weekend also hosted the V4 Elite Cup, reserved for enthusiasts competing on their own Panigale V4 motorcycles, and the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI, the racing programme designed to discover, develop and prepare young talents for the competitions of tomorrow. In the Ducati V4 Elite Cup, Denis Magalotti claimed victory in Race 1 and Paul Buchmann won Race 2, while in the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI, the victories went respectively to Jesus Torres and Andrea Migno.
In the year of the Centenary, WDW dedicated a special area to the brand’s historical heritage with the Heritage Village. Telling the story of this journey through a century of history were the exhibition “100 Years, 100 Stories, One Legend” and the Ducati Heritage Contest, which honoured the motorcycles that stood out for their state of preservation, originality and historical significance. Taking first place was Piero Guerrini with his 1999 Ducati 996 SPS Factory Replica.
The Ducati World area also attracted large crowds, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Ducati universe by discovering the entire motorcycle range up close, exploring its features and innovations, and taking part in talks and meetings with the engineers, designers and experts responsible for its design and development. Drawing particular attention were the Superleggera V4 Centenario and the 100 Collection, expressions of Ducati’s ability to transform a century of history into motorcycles destined to become collectors’ items. The focus was also on the future, with the World Première of the new Desmo450 SM, the first Supermotard from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
Even the youngest visitors had their own dedicated space at World Ducati Week thanks to the Ducati First Experience: more than 240 riding sessions gave children the opportunity to enjoy their very first contact with the world of two wheels in a safe environment under the guidance of qualified instructors.
Countless activities and opportunities transformed passion into something to be experienced first-hand. Meetings and autograph sessions with Ducati riders, riding courses, road test rides, Hot Laps and Lamborghini test drives, together with discussions with the engineers and designers from Borgo Panigale, gave participants the chance to discover the Ducati brand far beyond the racetrack. The programme was further enriched by Emilio Zamora’s stunt riding shows, spectacular freestyle motocross performances by Massimo Bianconcini, Corey Creed and Diego Manenti aboard the new Desmo450 MX, the Sound Experience by Garvan Acoustic Wellness, and an augmented reality experience powered by the Lenovo ThinkStation P8 workstation, allowing visitors to configure a Multistrada V4 S at 1:1 scale while exploring the customisation options offered by the Ducati Factory Made programme.
A special thanks also goes to the institutions and local authorities that collaborated in making the event possible, in particular the municipalities of Misano Adriatico, Riccione, Rimini and Cattolica, whose support helped welcome thousands of enthusiasts and once again transformed the Motor Valley into the heart of Ducati passion.
World Ducati Week is organised with a strong commitment to social responsibility, environmental sustainability and the enhancement of the Ducati brand. Part of the fee paid by participants to use the leathers and helmet storage service inside the paddock is donated to the CHIAMA chiAMA Anti-Violence Centre, run by the MondoDonna Onlus Association, a women’s organisation and anti-violence centre committed to fighting all forms of gender-based violence.
Numerous companies chose to play an active role in World Ducati Week 2026. In addition to Lenovo, Title Partner of the Lenovo Race of Champions and the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI, Ducati would like to thank MotoProtection and GoPro, together with the partners behind Ducati-branded products: Safilo, Piquadro, PittaRosso, Locman, Italpreziosi, Poste Italiane, Depot, Quad Lock and Grani&Partners. Alongside them were Ducati’s long-standing technical suppliers, who support the development of its production motorcycles – Shell, Termignoni, Pirelli, Akrapovič, WRS, Bosch, Brembo and STM – as well as the Tech Village partners Givi, Dainese, Arai, Ilmberger Carbon Parts, Nolan, NGK and Spidi, all of whom contributed to enhancing the experience for participants throughout the weekend. The partners of the 2026 edition also included Contadi Castaldi, Cuisine Barista, Teckell, Summertrade (Food & Beverage Provider), DHL (Logistic Partner), Edelweiss Bike Travel (Travel Partner), together with 3DBeta and Andreani, which supported Ducati Service activities.
World Ducati Week comes to a close leaving behind something that goes far beyond numbers and spectacular shows: an unforgettable memory, an emotion destined to endure over time, fuelled by the passion of a community unlike any other in the world, which has been writing Ducati’s history for one hundred years and, from today, has already begun imagining its future.
World Ducati Week 2026 in numbers:
- A crowd figure of 118,036 was recorded over three days
- Participants from 94 countries across all 5 continents
- 275 Ducati Official Clubs in attendance
- 95,000 photographs taken by the event photographers and 105 hours of video footage recorded
- 37 world championship titles represented by the past and present Ducati riders who took part in WDW
- 16 riders competing aboard the Panigale V4 Tricolore Lenovo Race of Champions edition
- An 18 km parade of Ducati motorcycles stretching from the Misano World Circuit to Samsara Beach in Riccione, riding along the Riviera roads
- 110 hours of entertainment, presentations, interviews, DJ sets and live shows
- 75 Ducati directors and managers from Borgo Panigale and Ducati subsidiaries around the world who served food and cooked during the Rustida
- 584 pieces of content published across social media
- 240 riding sessions for children as part of the Ducati First Experience
World Ducati Week 2026 digital highlights:
- 2 million page views on the Ducati website’s WDW pages since ticket sales opened
- More than 20 million impressions across Ducati’s social media channels
- More than 700,000 viewers tuned in to the Lenovo Race of Champions live stream on Ducati’s YouTube channel
- 220,000 FantaWDW sessions
100 years of passion, one big celebration: happy birthday, Ducati!
- July 4, 1926 – July 4, 2026: there could be no better occasion to celebrate Ducati’s birthday than World Ducati Week!
- After the massive attendance of the opening day, the weekend is getting into full swing with qualifying for the Lenovo Race of Champions and the evening show “Live the Legend Night” dedicated to the motorcycle manufacturer’s 100th anniversary
- Tomorrow sees the grand finale with the Lenovo Race of Champions, which will see Ducati protagonists from MotoGP, WorldSBK, WSSP and the main national championships compete on one-of-a-kind Panigale V4 Tricolore models
Happy Birthday, Ducati!
One hundred years after it was founded in 1926, the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer is celebrating an extraordinary milestone in its history in the most natural way possible: together with Ducatisti. World Ducati Week 2026 is celebrating a symbolic day today, with thousands of enthusiasts, champions and legends gathered in Misano to celebrate a unique anniversary.
As soon as the gates opened, a sea of motorcycles filled the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli from the early hours of the morning. Riders were welcomed by a packed programme of activities that continued throughout the day, culminating in one of the most iconic moments of the event: the parade. Thousands of motorcycles left the circuit to cross the Riviera Romagnola to Riccione, transforming the sunset into a long red stream heading towards the Ducati Beach Party, featuring the traditional Rustida served by Ducati management and an evening of music and entertainment hosted by Federico Russo and Francesco Mandelli with the SHAZAMI format, followed by a DJ set by Samsara Beach Club.
The first Lap of Honour of the weekend was also a thrilling experience, bringing Ducati champions past and present together on the track. Casey Stoner, Loris Capirossi, Troy Bayliss and Carl Fogarty are just some of the legends that paraded alongside Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Márquez and the other protagonists of the racing history of the brand, offering a vision that only Ducati can offer: the riders who built the legend of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and the champions who continue to write its history today, side by side in front of their community.
Throughout the day, the paddock buzzed with thousands of enthusiasts eager to discover the entire Ducati range, the Collezione 100 and the new Superleggera V4 Centenario. There were plenty of riding experiences on the track, on the road and off-road, along with opportunities to meet Ducati riders, engineers and designers, thus allowing participants to experience the brand well beyond the track. Emilio Zamora’s stunt riding shows and freestyle motocross performances featuring Massimo Bianconcini, Corey Creed and Diego Manenti aboard the new Desmo450 MX bikes also captivated the public. The Sound Experience by Garvan Acoustic Wellness and an augmented reality experience, powered by the Lenovo ThinkStation P8 workstation, which allows you to configure a 1:1 scale Multistrada V4 S and explore the customization options offered by the Ducati Factory Made program, were also not to be missed.
One of the most popular new features of the Centenary WDW, the Heritage Village welcomed visitors on a journey dedicated to the history of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. Historic Ducati bikes, brought to Misano directly with their passionate owners, provide the backdrop for the “100 Years, 100 Stories, 1 Legend” exhibition, which retraces the most significant milestones of a century of Ducati history through a chronological journey of 100 episodes and unique objects on display.
The Heritage Village also hosts the Ducati Heritage Contest, a competition dedicated to Ducati bikes produced up to the year 2000. After the initial selection of competing bikes on Friday, the contest enters its decisive phase today: a jury of experts and the WDW public chose the winners, who will receive their awards on Sunday.
Saturday, 4 July, began with the traditional World Première: on the paddock’s Main Stage, Ducati previewed the new Desmo450 SM, the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer’s first Supermotard, unveiled in the presence of multiple world champion Marc Reiner Schmidt. Derived from the Desmo450 MX, the motard version features suspension, brakes, wheels and an engine developed specifically for this discipline, including the patented traction control system. Full details will be revealed in September 2026, with the arrival in European dealerships scheduled for October.
Following the World Première, the sporting action at World Ducati Week moved into full swing. The Misano World Circuit hosted the free practice sessions and qualifying for the Lenovo Race of Champions, which determined the starting grid for Sunday’s race. Nicolò Bulega secured pole position, ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri and Francesco Bagnaia. The circuit also hosted the qualifying sessions and Race 1 of both the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI and the V4 Elite Cup.
In the afternoon, the spotlight was on the second and final Lap of Honour of the weekend, dedicated exclusively to Ducati legends. A lap of the track brought back images before the eyes of enthusiasts that have been part of the memory of entire generations.
The local cities are also celebrating World Ducati Week with two outstanding exhibitions. In Riccione, “Feelings Designed by Ducati”, hosted at The Box Hotel, showcases the creative process behind the motorcycles of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer through original sketches and design models. In Cattolica, at the Palazzo del Turismo, “100 Years of Ducati: From the Mototemporada to Superbike” traces the history of motorcycle racing in the region with an exhibition open to visitors until 27 September.
With the Lenovo Race of Champions scheduled for tomorrow at 12:40 pm, World Ducati Week will experience its final major event. Today, however, on the day the past of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer meets its present, the best result is already there for all to see: the riders who built its legend, the champions who today carry its colours around the world and the community that has always been the beating heart of Ducati passion.
The engines are revving for World Ducati Week 2026: Ducati’s 100th anniversary celebrations get underway at Misano!
- From the early hours of this morning, Friday 3 July, the Misano World Circuit was painted red, kicking off three days dedicated to the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s 100th anniversary
- This opening day of the event features the first Lap of Honour, which will see an array of Ducati legends on the track – including Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss, Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi – and the traditional parade that will accompany fans to the Ducati Beach Party in Riccione
- The Lenovo Race of Champions is in full swing: the Panigale V4 Tricolore have been unveiled for the event that will see Ducati riders from MotoGP, WorldSBK and the main national championships compete, with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday
The moment has finally arrived. The grandstands are bathed in red, the paddock is filled with enthusiasts from all over the world and the roar of Ducati bikes once again becomes the soundtrack to one of the most highly anticipated events for the international Ducatisti community. World Ducati Week 2026, the edition celebrating the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s centenary, began today at the Misano World Circuit!
For three days, the Misano World Circuit becomes the place where Ducati recounts its first 100 years: the past that built its legend, the present that continues to write its history and the future that is taking shape. Thousands of enthusiasts are gathering with the riders who today are taking Ducati to the pinnacle of motorsport, the legends who have written its most memorable pages, and the bikes that, for a century, have continued to fuel dreams and passion. This is the spirit encapsulated in the motto “Live the Legend – Celebrate 100 Years Together,” which accompanies the celebrations of this unique anniversary.
The opening press conference of World Ducati Week illustrated the weekend’s most highly anticipated highlights and events. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, Global Marketing and Communication Director Patrizia Cianetti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director Mauro Grassilli and Ducati official and privateer MotoGP and WorldSBK riders, including Marc Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), took to the stage to share the excitement of three days that promise to be packed with excitement both on and off the track.
“World Ducati Week is always one of the most exciting moments for Ducati lovers, and this year it has a truly unique meaning,” said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO. “Looking out into the paddock, you can see this same story come to life: the fans who have come from all over the world, the champions who today carry our colours at the pinnacle of motorsport, the bikes that fuel dreams and passions and the legends who have contributed to writing some of the most memorable pages in our history. Never before has Ducati been able to bring together, in one place and for one occasion, such an extraordinary number of motorcycle racing champions. Seeing them here, together with our Ducatisti, to celebrate our centenary is something we are truly proud of, and which makes this edition of World Ducati Week unique.”
For the entire duration of World Ducati Week, the Main Stage in the paddock will be the beating heart of the event. The voices of Virgin Radio – Ringo, Alteria, and Ketty Passa – will accompany the audience with talks, interviews, special guests, DJ sets and the official awards ceremonies for all the weekend’s racing competitions.
The excitement will begin on Friday afternoon with the first Lap of Honour, an unprecedented edition of the traditional lap, which will bring some of the greatest Ducati champions of yesterday and today to the track in a tribute to the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s sporting heritage, as Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss, Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi, along with champions who currently defend the Ducati colours, such as Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Márquez and Nicolò Bulega.
They, along with Ducati riders from MotoGP, WorldSBK, WSSP and the main national championships, will be the protagonists of the Lenovo Race of Champions, which gets underway today with the official presentation of the bikes that will compete in Saturday’s qualifying session and in Sunday’s race. Based on the prestigious Panigale V4 Tricolore and equipped with a racing configuration, the bikes will be customized with the liveries of their respective riders and embellished with a laser-engraved steering head featuring the model’s name, the rider’s logo and the serial number of the bike, corresponding to the rider’s number.
World Ducati Week 2026 thus confirms its strong racing vocation, which will also be showcased through the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI, the sporting programme designed to discover, develop and prepare young talents for the competitions of tomorrow, and the V4 Elite Cup, dedicated to amateur riders competing on their own Panigale V4.
Bringing Friday to a close will be one of the Ducatisti’s most beloved rituals: the parade, which, after a lap of the Misano circuit, will bring thousands of Ducati bikes along the roads of the Riviera Romagnola to Samsara Beach in Riccione, where the Ducati Beach Party will be held. Participants will be greeted with the traditional Rustida served by Ducati management and an evening of music and entertainment hosted by Federico Russo and Francesco Mandelli with the SHAZAMI format.
On Saturday, World Ducati Week will get into full swing as per the previously announced racing programme. The Misano World Circuit will host free practice (2:35 – 3:00 pm) and qualifying (3:45 – 4:10 pm) of the Lenovo Race of Champions, which will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s official race, along with Race 1 of the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI (4:20 – 4:55 pm) and the V4 Elite Cup (5:05 – 5:30 pm). The Lap of Honour will also return throughout the day, this time entirely dedicated to the protagonists of some of the Borgo Panigale-based company’s most iconic achievements.
As evening falls, the Centenary celebrations will reach their most anticipated moment with Live the Legend Night, the show scheduled for the exact day Ducati was founded. On stage and on the track, the most iconic moments in the history of the Borgo Panigale company will come to life, narrated by Francesco Pannofino and the live music of Poggipollini and his band.
On Sunday 5 July, WDW will reach its climax with the fourth edition of the Lenovo Race of Champions, one of the most spectacular and eagerly awaited events of the entire weekend. The race, scheduled for 12:00 p.m., will pit the best Ducati riders competing in MotoGP, WorldSBK and the main national championships against each other, battling it out until the last moment on their Panigale V4 Tricolore customized with their racing liveries.
Battling it out for the win will be Ducati MotoGP riders Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), along with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), joined by Superbike stars Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team), Álvaro Bautista and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pata Go Eleven), Alberto Surra (Team Motocorsa Racing), Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Performance), and Thomas Bridewell (Superbike Advocates Racing). Completing the lineup are Hafizh Syahrin (SBK Asia), Josh Waters (Australian SBK), Lukas Tulovic (Euro Moto SBK) and PJ Jacobsen (MotoAmerica SBK).
World Ducati Week will also be an opportunity to experience Ducati in all its facets. Throughout the three days of the event, participants will be able to explore the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer’s entire range, the bikes of the Collezione 100 and the Superleggera V4 Centenario within the Ducati Worlds area, witness the world premiere of a new model and remain in touch with the Ducati world firsthand thanks to riding experiences on the track, on the road and off-road.
Among the highlights of WDW2026, the Heritage Village guides enthusiasts on a discovery of the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer’s historical heritage. Here enthusiasts can find the “100 Years, 100 Stories, 1 Legend” exhibition, which retraces the 100 most significant moments in Ducati’s history, the Ducati Heritage Contest dedicated to road models produced up to the year 2000, and an open-air exhibition of vintage models sourced directly from the community.
The paddock will offer a continuous programme of shows and activities designed to engage audiences of all ages. Emilio Zamora will perform his spectacular stunt riding shows, while Massimo Bianconcini, Corey Creed and Diego Manenti will deliver all the adrenaline of freestyle motocross, performing for the first time aboard the new Desmo450 MX machines. The Sound Experience by Garvan Acoustic Wellness, an immersive experience dedicated to the Ducati sound, is also back. An augmented reality experience, made possible by the power of the Lenovo ThinkStation P8 workstation, will allow visitors to view a 1:1 scale Multistrada V4 S and configure it through a simple interface, exploring the numerous customization options offered by Ducati Factory Made, the programme that allows you to create your dream bike directly on the Borgo Panigale production line.
There will also be plenty of space for younger visitors: with Ducati First Experience, children aged 6 to 14 will be able to explore the world of two wheels through a programme developed in collaboration with the Italian Motorcycling Federation, while on Saturday morning, Riders Meet Kids will offer them the opportunity to meet the Ducati riders up close and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
The programme will also include exhibitions, contests and meetings with riders and the people who design, develop and bring Ducati motorcycles to life every day, along with shows, music and many other activities for the whole family. Returning this year is the FantaWDW, the game dedicated to the Lenovo Race of Champions and the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI, giving Ducatisti the chance to experience the weekend as active participants through predictions and challenges with the global Ducati community.
100 Years of Excellence: the “Manuale del Made in Italy secondo Ducati” presented in the presence of the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso
- At its historic Borgo Panigale headquarters, Ducati presented the “Manuale del Made in Italy secondo Ducati” during a press conference attended by Minister Adolfo Urso and CEO Claudio Domenicali
- The celebration plan for the Company’s 100th anniversary was also unveiled, including a podcast created with Chora Media, a docu-film produced by Minerva Pictures and a collaboration with artist Ugo Nespolo
- World Ducati Week will be the highlight of the celebrations: from July 3 to 5, an edition destined to make history, featuring the Lenovo Race of Champions with the Ducati champions as the most anticipated sporting event
In the place where everything takes shape.
A symbolic moment, attended by the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Senator Adolfo Urso, the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region Michele De Pascale, and Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, dedicated to the presentation of the “Manuale del Made in Italy secondo Ducati” (The Made in Italy Handbook according to Ducati) curated by Rampello & Partners in collaboration with Ducati.
A unique document that codifies the combination of design culture, industrial excellence and the unmatched Italian “know-how” that has always distinguished the Italian motorcycle manufacturer: the essence of Made in Italy according to Ducati, born in Borgo Panigale, in the heart of Motor Valley, and spread around the world. A dynamic balance between concept, technique, form and relationships, science and beauty, expressed through the ability to innovate, meticulous attention to quality and detail, technological excellence, refined design and a deep connection with both territory and community.
The “Manuale del Made in Italy secondo Ducati ” is endorsed by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the Leonardo Commitee, and Altagamma Foundation.
If the Manual illustrates the method, the Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore – unveiled in a world premiere by Minister Urso and Claudio Domenicali – represents its most authentic synthesis. The Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore is the ultimate expression of Ducati technology applied to a road-legal motorcycle, the first in the world to feature a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs and a fork with carbon-fibre sleeves derived from MotoGP, capable of reaching a maximum power output of 228 horsepower.
Produced in only 100 units, the Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore stands out for its exclusive livery inspired by the 750 F1, winner of the Battle of the Twins at the Daytona International Speedway in 1986 with Marco Lucchinelli, the last “classic” two-valve racing model and one of the most iconic and rare Ducatis of the 1980s. A stylistic choice that expresses the ongoing dialogue between history and innovation, recalling past glories and reinterpreting them in a contemporary way.
Theory and practice thus come together in a unique narrative: the Manual as the expression of the method, the motorcycle as its concrete application. Two complementary dimensions that encapsulate 100 years of innovation and project Ducati toward the future.
Sen. Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy: “Vision, expertise, and future are the guiding principles that have accompanied Ducati’s first 100 years, an authentic symbol of Made in Italy capable of combining technological innovation and industrial excellence. A remarkable journey, the result of a leadership built over time and oriented toward continuous development. The Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore – unveiled today in a world premiere and produced in just 100 units – represents its highest expression, embodying the most advanced evolution of the brand’s technology. In this same perspective fits the ‘Manuale del Made in Italy secondo Ducati’ presented by the brand: an identity-driven document that conveys an integrated vision in which innovation, quality, design, and technology coexist in balance with strong local roots. A journey that confirms the strength of an iconic brand and its ability to unite expertise and identity, and above all to generate the emotions that only Italian products can deliver.”
“We were born in Borgo Panigale and from here we continue to design, develop and produce motorcycles that bring a clear vision of Made in Italy to the world. The Manual and the new Superleggera V4 Centenario Tricolore represent two complementary dimensions of this journey: the method and its tangible expression. Together they illustrate our ability to innovate, our uncompromising technological research, attention to detail, as well as our design culture and deep connection with the territory and our community” said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “What lies ahead is a year full of important moments, with ambitious and stimulating projects designed to tell the Ducati story through languages that go beyond the product and expand its imagination, creating unique experiences such as World Ducati Week, which will represent the pinnacle of this important anniversary. I would like to thank Minister Urso and President De Pascale for being here today. Their presence confirms Ducati’s value within an Italian system capable of competing successfully on a global level.”
Michele De Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, along with Vice President for Economic Development Vincenzo Colla and Regional Councillor for Sport and Tourism Roberta Frisoni, stated: “Celebrating Ducati’s hundred years means paying tribute to one of the highest expressions of Emilia-Romagna’s ‘know-how,’ a heritage made of creativity, technological expertise, industrial capability and passion. This Centenary is a shared celebration, a festivity that begins in Borgo Panigale and reaches across the world. As the Region, we proudly join this collective celebration, aware that Ducati’s success is also the success of an entire territorial system based on widespread skills, the ability to evolve industrial and social relations over time and a development model that brings together industry, knowledge and work. Looking ahead, we are confident that Ducati will continue to be a laboratory of ideas, a place where courage pushes beyond limits and passion never settles, helping to write new chapters of excellence for Emilia-Romagna and for Italy.”
Emilia-Romagna Region has always been the setting of the World Ducati Week, the great Ducati gathering and the heart of the entire celebratory journey: from July 3 to 5, enthusiasts from all over the world will meet at the Misano Circuit to celebrate 100 years of history and experience firsthand the emotions that have made the motorcycle manufacturer unique in the world of two wheels.
A historic and unrepeatable event, brought to life through product premieres, night entertainment, expert talks with Ducati specialists, opportunities to meet past and present riders and the parade, the iconic and colourful snake of Ducati motorcycles that, at every edition, winds through the roads of the Romagna Riviera.
The weekend will reach its peak with the Lenovo Race of Champions, always one of the most anticipated moments of the three-day event. An occasion that once again confirms the strong bond between Ducati and Lenovo, Title and Technology Partner of the Ducati Lenovo Team in MotoGP and main sponsor of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati in Superbike World Championship.
This edition will debut with a brand-new format: free practice sessions and qualifying on Saturday, followed by the official race on Sunday at 12:00. On track will be all Ducati MotoGP riders – Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team, together with Michele Pirro, Ducati MotoGP Test Rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, Álex Márquez and Fermín Aldeguer of the BK8 Gresini Racing Team – together with the Superbike stars, Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team, as well as riders from the leading international championships, for a truly world-class starting grid.
The Borgo Panigale-based company has thus entered the heart of the celebrations of a year that pays tribute to its history while, at the same time, reaffirming a clear vision: to continue to be an ambassador of Made in Italy excellence worldwide, drawing on a century-long history built on sporting success, technological excellence, and iconic, unmistakable design.
Celebration plan
As part of a year-long celebration throughout 2026, the first collective moment will be #WeRideAsOne, the global day organized by Ducati Official Clubs and official dealerships, which on 9 May will bring Ducatisti worldwide together in a single, shared experience.
#WeRideAsOne will serve as a prelude to World Ducati Week, which, in addition to the Lenovo Race of Champions, will also host one of the race weekends of the V4 Elite Cup, dedicated to amateur riders owning the Ducati Panigale V4 and, above all, the V2 Future Champ Academy, the racing project designed to discover and develop young talent and prepare them for the competitions of tomorrow. The weekend, the third round of the V2 Future Champ Academy will feature free practice, qualifying, and race. Both initiatives are promoted and organized by Garage 51 in collaboration with Michele Pirro (Ducati MotoGP Test Rider) and Ducati.
The celebration plan will also involve the Expedition Masters programme, dedicated to travel enthusiasts, which for the Centenary proposes – among the others – a special itinerary inspired by the 19th-century Grand Tour, reinterpreted in a contemporary way. An experience along some of Italy’s most scenic roads, to be enjoyed on the new Multistrada V2, V4, and Rally models.
Celebrations will also involve the Borgo Panigale headquarters, with a new exhibition route at the Ducati Museum, which will temporarily close after World Ducati Week and reopen in autumn with an even more engaging narrative of the company’s history and evolution.
Numerous collaborations with external partners will enrich the Centenary with diverse content and storytelling formats. Among these are a podcast produced by Chora Media and narrated by Bolognese writer Enrico Brizzi, and a docu-film produced by Minerva Pictures, directed by Alex Infascelli and narrated by internationally renowned actor Stefano Accorsi – also from Bologna and a great motorsport enthusiast.
The initiatives also extend into the world of art, thanks to a collaboration with Ugo Nespolo, a leading international figure in contemporary Italian art, involved in a series of creative projects inspired by this important anniversary, as well as the publication of a celebratory book retracing the most significant moments of these hundred years of history.
Completing this mosaic of projects, Ducati further enhances its presence within the setting of EICMA (November 5–8 in Milan), with an exhibition dedicated to the Centenary, hosted within the world’s most important trade fair for the sector – long a key reference point and a meeting opportunity for the international two-wheel community.
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
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