TC 222 To Do Some Nationals in 2025👀

I'm questioning the credibility of this website

Can the Ducati actually be raced in the us this summer?

Do you question Vital?

https://youtu.be/z7CvUARrs_Q?si=Y-TFTjPP__oRhLkT

I think as long as they get enough bikes here by sometime in June they can. 

Yes I would, 
How is Eli Tomac linked to Ducati?

I heard somthing about a Ducati announcement at Pittsburgh next week

He wore TLD gear as a kid, he wears Astars boots, and is sponsored by PPG.

It goes deep!!! I just learned that Eli Tomac is planning to race AMA motocross and Ducati would like to race AMA motocross.

Ducati only needs to create the illusion to meet AmA rules….

It's rumored he could sign with Ducati for next year. No one is saying it's a done deal, but the rumor = linked to. It's not that complicated...

I don't care where he places in the race , I just want to see him out there. He's a legend in my opinion ( many of us actually ) and I'd almost feel honored in watching him race / ride again. Plus I'm really digging the fact Ducati is getting their feet wet in our sport. Pretty awesome. 

Yes.  

So Ducati TLD will be racing indoors and outdoors in 2026 ?

Just outdoors I think.

He seems really nice. 

The article implies it is a done deal.  

It doesn't mention rumors are the link. Typically "linked to" means there exists an association, not speculation. 
Then the author (AI?) reaffirms, "It will be a good time....."

 

ML just said what he got out of the conversation he had with Eli...that he still WANTS to race.

He goes on to say that if Yamahas budget can't cover Tomac then the possible options are Troy Lee Ducati, Triumph, or KTM.

I haven't known ML to pull rando shit out of his ass so there ya go.

He didn't mention Kawi...🤔

Personally, If there was a 7 figure, 2 years deal on the table w/ Ducati, that would really ice the cake. First gen bike comes w/ no pressure to win, just develop it in race trim. 
New team, new parts and very deep pockets! Plus all the company benni's. Moto GP, MXGP, your own V4 Street Fighter. C'mon man!

Check out the latest Whiskey Throttle Show with Troy Lee, they go into the Ducati team a bit around the 2-hour mark. Biggest takeaway Troy mentioned is they'll be a Red Bull team.

If Eli comes back, it’s to win, not have a no pressure situation on a new unproven bike. Personally, I would be absolutely shocked if he rode for Ducati or Triumph. 

I don't know, I think a shift in his perspective is possible. He's accomplished everything. Now he may have a chance at finishing a career w/ a high dollar contract.
Avoiding injury and pedaling off into the CO hills post retirement w/ a bankroll, to never work again, has a nice ring to it. 

This means nothing. 

Hes linked to Ducati because it could be his only option if star doesn’t resign him.

I would assume he has plenty of dollars already.  His dad retired on a far smaller nest egg (i presume), so I imagine he has given Eli wise counsel when it comes to investing, etc.

By no means am I saying he isn't already powerloaded, we know he is. Money is a tool at this point. A tool that can keep you busy doing really cool shit in your golden years. Buying, selling ranches or whatever he's into. 
30 something's freshly retired need a hobby!

Since the production rule exemption was no longer in the 2025 AMA rulebook, Ducati should have had 200 units available for sale last March and the remaining 200, for a total of 400, available in June.  That's how I understand the rule.  Maybe the AMA will allow them to race if they have 400 available in June?  And by available, does it mean delivered to the customers or will they let 400 pre-orders slide?  I hope they work it out since Ducati is a brand new manufacturer to the sport and would love to see the 222 out there.

First MXGP podium at the 6th round, don't think they'll have such a hard time finding volunteers to ride that bike in America. Plus it would have been refined for a year by that time.

Considering Lupino won an MXGP on one, I'd say it's very likely that Eli could win an MX race, also. Setting one up for Supercross would require more testing, but that's what they do.  

Lupino - 2024 Italian 450 Champion on the Ducati. 

No MXGP win.

I think the big kicker here with Duc is that they already have a successful MXGP bike developed and racing. It shouldn't be too difficult for Ziggy and Troy to field a production based 450 that is AMA MX legal later this summer. If they can get Tony over here to help, it should be help a lot. He's raced the AMA nationals, he knows the difference between our bike rules and theirs and he gets the raceday schedule. If Tony can go out there an get some top 20's on the bike at a few east coast rounds, I'd say that data will be invaluable. Duc may not want that bike out there rolling around mid pack though...

Now, making the bike AMA Pro SX ready in 6 months? That'll be a more difficult task. It's probably doable if they can get Ziggy enough bikes and parts here in May to properly start SX development. The hard part is that as of today they still don't have a SX spec bike ready that someone like Tomac can spin some laps on and the silly season signings are in full swing...