Ducati’s long-anticipated debut season in the MXGP World Championship has come to an end, and with it, so has Mattia Guadagnini’s time with the Italian manufacturer. The partnership between the young rider and the iconic brand was always going to be closely scrutinized, and while it produced moments of promise, it has ultimately concluded after just one season together.
For Ducati, 2025 was a historic leap. Venturing into the world of motocross after decades of dominance in road racing and superbikes was no small task. Competing against brands with established motocross heritage like KTM, Yamaha, and Honda was a steep challenge. As expected, their first season was filled with both encouraging steps forward and difficult lessons.
Guadagnini’s Rollercoaster Season
At the heart of Ducati’s debut campaign was Mattia Guadagnini, a 23-year-old Italian rider whose talent has long been evident. Guadagnini entered 2025 determined to prove himself as a competitive force in MXGP and to help guide Ducati’s progress in its rookie year.
The season, however, did not unfold as smoothly as he might have hoped. A promising start was quickly derailed by injury, forcing him to miss several rounds and slowing the momentum he had built early on. For a young rider, time away from the bike can be difficult to recover from, and Guadagnini’s return was marked by a period of adjustment as he worked to rediscover his rhythm and speed.
Despite those setbacks, Guadagnini managed to end the season on a positive note. At the final round in Darwin, Australia, he showcased the kind of pace that had originally attracted Ducati to sign him. A strong third place in qualifying underlined his raw speed, and in the opening moto he secured a hard-fought seventh position. Unfortunately, the second race was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, leaving him without the opportunity to improve on his result. Nevertheless, it was a respectable way to close out a challenging year.
Championship Standings vs. Real Potential
In the overall championship, Guadagnini finished seventeenth, a result that doesn’t truly capture the flashes of speed and determination he displayed throughout the year. Injuries and inconsistency were major obstacles, but at just 23 years old, Guadagnini has plenty of time to develop further and prove himself at the top level of MXGP. His riding this season suggested that with the right environment and continued growth, he can be a regular contender for higher positions in the future.
The Official Split
Following the MXGP finale, speculation about Guadagnini’s future was quickly put to rest when both parties confirmed the end of their partnership. Ducati had initially signed him on a one-year deal with an option for a second season, but the team ultimately decided not to extend the contract.
In Ducati’s official release, Guadagnini expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reflected on his year:
“My adventure with Ducati is over, and I’m happy it ended with a positive result. Yesterday’s qualifying went really well, with a good start and an excellent race. Today we only had one race due to the rain, but we made the most of it, with a good start. I was fifth for most of the race, but towards the end I dropped the pace a bit and lost two positions. I thank everyone at Ducati and the Aruba.it – Ducati Factory MX Team. It’s been a difficult year at times, but I’m happy and have no regrets.”
His words highlight a sense of closure and appreciation, even if the results weren’t as strong as either party might have hoped.
What’s Next for Guadagnini?
As Ducati pushes forward with its motocross project into 2026, attention now turns to Guadagnini’s future. At just 23, he remains one of the brightest prospects in the paddock. His ability to adapt, recover from injury, and still produce strong performances suggests that with the right team and bike, he could climb much higher in the standings.
Whether he lands with another factory squad or finds a spot on a satellite team, Guadagnini will be eager to use the lessons learned in 2025 to fuel his next chapter. One season with Ducati may not have produced the breakthrough he hoped for, but it has added valuable experience to his career and given him another opportunity to prove his resilience.
For Ducati, meanwhile, the journey is only beginning. Their debut year showed that while the road to MXGP success is long and challenging, they have the resources and ambition to grow. The next step will be identifying the right rider line-up to continue their development.
One thing is certain: Mattia Guadagnini’s story in MXGP is far from oveWord