
In a significant transition for Ducati’s MotoGP team, the iconic Italian brand has announced that Paolo Ciabatti, the esteemed sporting director, will be stepping down from his role to spearhead Ducati’s new motocross program. The 66-year-old, who assumed the role of sporting director in 2014, played a pivotal role in Ducati’s MotoGP successes, overseeing their triumphs from Casey Stoner’s 2007 victory to Francesco Bagnaia’s championship in 2022.
Under Ciabatti’s leadership, Ducati dominated the 2023 season, securing a remarkable 17 out of 20 grand prix victories, sweeping the top three spots in the riders’ standings, and clinching both the constructors’ and teams’ championships, along with a consecutive World Superbike title with Alvaro Bautista.
Now, Ciabatti is set to embrace a new challenge as the general manager of Ducati’s off-road division, overseeing the brand’s entry into motocross competition starting in 2024. The focus will begin with the participation of Ducati’s 450 prototype in national competitions, with plans to escalate to the MXGP World Championship and AMA Supercross Championship in the subsequent years.
Despite his shift, Ciabatti will retain ties with Ducati’s road racing division, where he will continue to coordinate racing activities across various platforms, including MotoAmerica, British Superbikes, All Japan Superbike series, Australian Superbike championship, and the CIV series in Italy.
As Ciabatti embarks on this new chapter, Mauro Grassilli will assume the role of sporting director of Ducati Corse in MotoGP. Grassilli, previously serving as sporting, marketing, and communications director, steps into Ciabatti’s shoes as Ducati prepares for another exciting season in 2024.
This change follows other significant shifts within Ducati, including the departure of Massimo Bartolini, one of Gigi Dall’Igna’s trusted engineers, who has joined Yamaha as their technical director.
In 2024, Ducati will continue to field eight bikes in MotoGP, with Francesco Bagnaia aiming for a third championship with the factory squad. Additionally, the team will witness a notable transformation as eight-time grand prix motorcycle world champion Marc Marquez joins Gresini Ducati, adding further excitement and anticipation to the upcoming season.
As Ducati navigates these changes, the legacy left behind by Paolo Ciabatti in MotoGP will undoubtedly be remembered, with his indelible mark on the brand’s racing achievements setting the stage for an equally promising venture into the world of motocross.
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