Text and photos by Zach Lucero

Back in 2024, I was invited to cover the World Ducati Week (WDW) in Misano, Italy, an event that happens every 2 years where Ducati riders from across the planet converge. That gathering turned out to be a preshow for this year's WDW, which coincides with Ducati's 100th anniversary.

Ducati was founded on July 4, 1926, in Bologna, Italy, by Industrialist and businessman Antonio Cavalieri Ducati and his three sons, Marcello, Bruno, and Adriano. They actually started their business by manufacturing radio components and vacuum tubes before pivoting to motorcycles after World War II. Many motorcycle brands emerged after the war, as these two-wheelers became a practical and affordable mode of transportation in war-torn Europe at the time.

One hundred years. I’m trying to wrap my head around the meaning of a brand being around this long. Obviously, Ducati’s resilience stems from its passion and commitment to building high-quality, high-performance motorcycles.

Compared to previous years, this edition of World Ducati Week carried a slightly different tone. The event still had its trademark mix of speed, camaraderie, and good-natured hooliganism, but there was also an unmistakable sense of reverence. It reminded me of the quiet pride parents feel as they watch their child reach another defining milestone.

Ducati's 100th year is not merely another corporate centenary. Plenty of brands can claim longevity. Ducati's legacy, however, has been built over a century of engineering high-performance motorcycles while amassing podium finishes, championship titles, and a level of racing success that has shaped the sport across generations.

Our hotel was barely four kilometers from the Misano World Circuit. Under normal circumstances, the drive would have taken about 10 minutes. On World Ducati Week, it became a test of patience, stretching to nearly an hour and a half.

By 7:00 a.m., the roads were already at a standstill as thousands of Ducatisti streamed in from every corner of the world. The anticipation was unmistakable. With every passing minute, the excitement intensified, reinforcing the idea that WDW is where Ducati's charisma is most vividly on display.

Here, the brand is personified by its people. You see Ducati reflected in the the marquee’s fans—their energy, their passion, and their sense of camaraderie. The brand’s personality doesn't just live in its motorcycles; it comes alive in the people who ride them.

Our days were packed with activities. We visited the 100,000-sq.m Ducati factory, experienced the Ducati museum tour, test-rode their new bikes, which included the new Ducati Desert X, Hypermotard and the Monster V2. There were also action-packed stunt rides, a Ducati parade, a beach party and of course, the highlight of World Ducati Week, The Race of Champions where Ducati MotoGP and World Superbike riders battled it out in an exhibition match for the fans.

This year's Race of Champions saw Nicolò Bulega, Álvaro Bautista, and Lorenzo Baldassarri claim the podium. Former MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished fifth, while reigning MotoGP champion Marc Márquez crossed the line in 12th.

Márquez in 12th may seem surprising at first glance, but the result needs context. As prestigious as the Race of Champions is, it remains an exhibition event. With the MotoGP and WorldSBK seasons still underway, factory riders have little incentive to take unnecessary risks. The goal is to put on a great show while avoiding the kind of crash or injury that could compromise their championship campaigns.

One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, the man who has led the company to unprecedented success. I first met him two years ago and immediately understood why he commands such respect throughout Ducati. He is thoughtful, technically astute, and carries himself with a quiet confidence that inspires trust.

I was particularly keen to discuss Ducati's electric sportbike project with Domenicali. He explained that the biggest hurdle remains the battery, as current technology still falls short of Ducati's performance standards. Rather than develop its own batteries, Ducati is working closely with suppliers, pushing them to create a power source worthy of the brand.

For now, I don't see Ducati rushing into electrification. As the benchmark in high-performance internal combustion motorcycles, it has little reason to move until battery technology can truly deliver the performance and emotion riders expect from a Ducati.

World Ducati Week 2026 was a fitting celebration of Ducati's first century—a brand built on innovation, racing success, and uncompromising performance. Here's to the next hundred years. Salute. Forza Ducati.