The opening round of the 2026 Internazionali d’Italia Pro Motocross Championship in Alghero was a brutal test, with heavy rain turning the Lazzaretto track into a swamp of sand and mud. For Ducati, it was a weekend of setbacks and resilience—yet Ferruccio Zanchi rose above the chaos to claim third in MX2, securing the team’s first trophy of the season.
MXGP: Vlaanderen and Bonacorsi Battle Through
Calvin Vlaanderen and Andrea Bonacorsi qualified eighth and ninth but faced misfortune in both races. Vlaanderen retired twice due to technical issues, while Bonacorsi fought back to ninth in race one despite a damaged bike, only to be sidelined in race two after a heavy crash. Both riders stressed the importance of gathering data and building toward the Grand Prix season.
MX2: Zanchi Shines, Mancini Shows Grit
Zanchi impressed with a storming start in race one, finishing second, then salvaged sixth in race two despite goggle issues—earning third overall and a podium finish. Teammate Simone Mancini, returning after seven months out, clawed back from a crash in race one to finish 19th, then improved to 11th in race two, proving his determination.
Lessons and Momentum
While MXGP riders endured a weekend of misfortune, Ducati’s MX2 squad delivered promise. Zanchi’s podium signals momentum for the season ahead, while Bonacorsi, Vlaanderen, and Mancini gained crucial experience under extreme conditions. For Ducati, Alghero was less about results and more about resilience—a foundation to build on as the championship heads to Mantova and the first Grand Prix in Argentina.