Ducati looks to the future of the Off-Road project and is expanding its dedicated work group, in view of the challenges expected in the coming years.

Since September, Michael Schlabitz has taken on the role of Off-Road Sales Project Manager with the responsibility of coordinating the implementation of the Sales and After Sales strategy for Off-Road products at a global level. Michael, collaborating with corporate bodies and all Ducati branches and distributors, will contribute to the correct positioning of the new product in the markets, the creation of customer experience processes and the development of related business. 

Schlabitz, who will report to Francesco Milicia, Vice President Global Sales & After Sales, has a solid experience in sales gained in international contexts and a deep knowledge of the Off-Road segment, both from previous experience and personal passion.

Ducati’s new, historic chapter in off-road is a multi-year project that includes a complete range of off-road engines and motorcycles. The approach chosen in the development of these sporty, high-performance models reflects the tradition of the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer: starting from racing competition and then creating products capable of exceptional performance for the joy of its enthusiasts.

The working group entrusted with the Off-Road project was created in line with this philosophy of continuous exchange of information between the world of racing competition and that of production motorcycles. This method is also even more effective in the off-road segment, where the motorcycles on sale to customers are in all respects racing motorcycles.

The new role entrusted to Schlabitz strengthens an organization already composed of Davide Perni, R&D Technical Coordinator, who in the development of the vehicle will maintain a close collaboration with Pierluigi Zampieri (Ducati Vehicle Technical Director) and will make use of the various Company functions already active for the design, purchase, testing and definition of the components necessary to raise the level of performance of the “customer racing” motorcycles.

As for racing competition, Ducati had already announced at the end of 2023 the decision to count on the experience of Paolo Ciabatti as General Manager of Ducati Corse Off-Road. In this role Paolo reports directly to the CEO Claudio Domenicali with the aim of taking the Borgo Panigale company to success also in the off-road world. A goal in which Antonio Cairoli, nine-time Motocross World Champion, and Alessandro Lupino, current leader of the Italian Prestige MX1 Championship with the Ducati Desmo450 MX, are also collaborating.

In view of the debut in the MXGP World Championship, Ducati Corse Off-Road has already announced that the Swiss Jeremy Seewer will be one of the two official riders for 2025-2026.

For Ducati, entering the specialist off-road sector represents a very important and challenging strategic choice, made possible thanks to the excellent results achieved in recent years. It is a decision that confirms the desire to expand the brand’s presence in new worlds, speak to new motorcyclists and therefore grow the community of Ducatisti.

The next important events in the calendar of the Desmo450 MX prototype will be Alessandro Lupino’s participation in the final round of the MXGP World Championship (28-29 September) at Cózar, Spain, and subsequently the final round of the Italian Motocross Championship at Arco di Trento (12-13 October) with the official Ducati Corse R&D – Factory MX Team rider determined to confirm his leadership.

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