World-renowned Italian manufacturer Ducati will debut its Desmo450 MX model in the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship with British VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team, which will field two riders for the ten-round series.
Best known for his management of the British Speedway team, VRX Management s’est associé à Dirt Store – one of the UK’s leading suppliers of off-road clothing, parts and equipment – and will field British riders Tim Neave et Ashton Boughen for the arrival of Ducati in this booming discipline.
Â
Reigning British Champion and former British Superbike Championship contender, thirty-year-old Neave made his FIM Flat Track World Championship debut in 2023 and missed out on the FIM bronze medal the following season in a split. Neave – who has scored four podiums, but is still chasing his first victory at the highest level – will aim to improve on his current sixth-place finish, while the 2026 season will represent a steep learning curve for his young teammate.
Â
Aged just eighteen, Boughen is considered a serious up-and-coming talent who previously raced Motocross for Yamaha Europe. More recently active in the sport of Speedwayhe has now decided to concentrate on the FIM Flat Track World Championship.
Â
The duo will line up on the Ducati’s revolutionary Desmo450 MX model – developed in collaboration with Italian legend and nonuple FIM Motocross World Champion Tony Cairoli – which features a desmodromic distribution and combines cutting-edge technology and race-proven performance.
Â
Growing from six to ten rounds this year in a sign of its growing popularity, the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship will visit eight countries and two continents over an intense five-and-a-half month schedule, starting in Roden, in the Netherlands, May 9 and concluding with two rounds in Argentina – its first ever dates outside of Europe – during the weekend of October 24-25.
Fabrizio Cazzoli, general manager of Ducati UK, said:“ Ducati UK is delighted to extend our congratulations to the new VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team as they begin this exciting new chapter. We are proud to see the Ducati Desmo 450 MX presented in an environment that differs from its traditional cross-country setting. As the first ever flat track team to use this model, this initiative highlights the remarkable versatility and adaptability of the Ducati platform. This project represents a significant milestone, demonstrating how the Desmo 450 MX can perform in various disciplines while maintaining the performance and technical excellence synonymous with the Ducati name. We wish the team every success in the upcoming season and look forward to following their progress closely. 
Rob Painter, directeur général de VRX Management Ltd, a déclaré : “We have followed the growth of the FIM Flat Track World Championship very closely in recent years, and we have also attended various events in the series to fully understand how it works. The opportunity to partner with an iconic manufacturer such as Ducati, who themselves are eager to see their recently launched Desmo 450 MX race in the FIM Flat Track World Championship for the first time, was an opportunity we were keen to take, and we are delighted that it has come. brought to life with the vital support of Dirt Store. We know there is a lot to learn when entering a new discipline, so having Tim Neave’s experience on board is another major positive that can only help our development. We also want to help him realize his own aspirations in what is a truly competitive series. Ashton Boughen has already shown his talent on a motorcycle in various disciplines, and although this is a new challenge for him, we are confident that he will flourish in this environment, and we look forward to seeing him progress. We are extremely excited for the year ahead, and we can’t wait to introduce the new VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team at the opening round in Roden. I would like to thank Paolo Ciabatti, Fabrizio Cazzoli and Sara Falzolgher from Ducati for their trust and support in this new project. »
Dan Giffard, founder of Dirt Store, said:  Dirt Store is one of the UK’s leading online retailers of off-road products. Initially launching in 2023, Dirt Store offers riders of all levels the latest and greatest off-road products. Founded by passionate riders Dan and Nick, Dirt Store’s overall goal is to grow the off-road motorsports community and introduce the sport to new audiences. From amateur levels to the heights of professional racing, Dirt Store has supported riders at various motocross, enduro and speedway events. The partnership with VRX Dirt Store Ducati is the retailer’s first step into flat track racing, and the Dirt Store team is excited to expand into another new discipline. »
Armando Castagna, director of the FIM Track Racing Commission, said:“ It is clear that the sport of Flat Track continues to grow and flourish, and the involvement of a manufacturer with global prestige like Ducati is further proof of this. The VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team is a very valuable addition to the championship roster and I wish both of its riders – as well as all other competitors this season – the best of luck. With full entry lists, new names and an expanded series, the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship promises to be exciting. »
In order to carry the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship to a global audience, FIM-MOTO.TV will broadcast all rounds LIVE, including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and expert analysis with a FREE season pass covering all ten rounds, as well as a on-demand access to replays of all 2025 races.
For more details and to register, Click here.
