The World of Motorcycling

Italian manufacturer Ducati will debut its Desmo450 MX model at the FIM 2026 Flat Track World Championship with the British team VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team, which will field two riders for this ten-race series.

Known primarily for managing the British Speedway team, VRX Management has partnered with Dirt Store – a leading UK provider of off-road clothing, parts, and equipment – and will line up British riders Tim Neave and Ashton Boughen for Ducati’s entry into this rapidly growing discipline.

Neave, the reigning British champion and former British Superbike Championship contender, will aim to improve on his current sixth position in the World Flat Track Championship after narrowly missing out on a bronze medal last season. Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Boughen, seen as a promising talent, will face a steep learning curve in the upcoming 2026 season.

Both riders will compete on Ducati’s revolutionary Desmo450 MX model. Developed in collaboration with Italian legend and nine-time FIM Motocross World Champion Tony Cairoli, the bike features desmodromic distribution and combines cutting-edge technology with proven race performance.

Expanding from six to ten races this year due to growing popularity, the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship will span eight countries and two continents over a grueling five-and-a-half-month schedule, starting in Roden, Netherlands on May 9, and concluding with two races in Argentina in late October – the first non-European dates in the competition’s history.

Fabrizio Cazzoli, Ducati UK’s general manager, expressed excitement about the partnership with VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team and the debut of Ducati’s Desmo 450 MX in the Flat Track World Championship. He highlighted the versatility and outstanding performance of Ducati’s platform across different disciplines and wished the team success for the upcoming season.

Rob Painter, VRX Management Ltd’s general manager, praised the partnership with Ducati and emphasized the opportunity to work with a prestigious manufacturer to introduce the Desmo 450 MX in the Flat Track World Championship. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to excel in the competitive environment, especially with the experience of Tim Neave and the potential of Ashton Boughen.

Dan Giffard, Dirt Store’s founder, discussed the retailer’s involvement in expanding into the flat track racing discipline through the partnership with VRX Dirt Store Ducati. He emphasized Dirt Store’s mission to support off-road sports and introduce the sport to new audiences, highlighting the retailer’s passion for motorsports in various disciplines.

Armando Castagna, director of the FIM Track Racing Commission, acknowledged the continued growth of Flat Track racing and the significance of having a prestigious manufacturer like Ducati involved in the championship. He wished both VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team riders, as well as all competitors, the best of luck for the season and anticipated an exciting 2026 Flat Track World Championship.

To bring the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship to a global audience, FIM-MOTO.TV will broadcast all races live, including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and expert analysis, with a free season pass covering all ten races and on-demand access to replays of all 2025 races.

For more details and to sign up, click here.