One hundred years ago, in Bologna, Italy, three brothers founded a company that built radio components before expanding into cameras and other electronic equipment. Few could have imagined that same company would evolve into one of the world’s most sought-after motorcycle manufacturers, with one of the most passionate and loyal communities in motorcycling.
On July 4, 2026, Ducatisti from every corner of the globe gathered in Misano, Italy, to celebrate that legacy at World Ducati Week 2026. But for me, the celebration didn’t begin at the gates of the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. It began days earlier, the moment I threw a leg over the new Ducati Multistrada V2 and joined Ducati Philippines for the ultimate adventure—a pilgrimage of sorts to the Mecca of Ducati.
Like every great ride story, the journey became just as important as the destination.
We carved our way through some of Italy’s most spectacular roads: the towering peaks of the Dolomites, the legendary hairpins of Stelvio Pass, and the breathtaking sweepers of Gavia Pass. Every mountain pass looked like a postcard come to life. Every espresso stop became an excuse for stories, laughter, and conversations with fellow riders. Every tunnel amplified that unmistakable Ducati soundtrack, transforming even an ordinary stretch of road into something cinematic. By the time we rolled into Misano, our motorcycles carried far more than luggage. They carried memories. And the three-day celebration was only just beginning.
Despite a record-breaking European heat wave, more than 118,000 people still showed up in full force. Riders from 94 countries traveled thousands of kilometers to be part of the celebration, including a contingent of around 50 from the Philippines. Some journeys were even more extraordinary. Two Ducatisti rode all the way from India to Italy, crossing continents to reach Misano. It was a powerful reminder that, for many Ducatisti, the journey is every bit as meaningful as the destination. It proved once again that Ducati ownership isn’t measured by what’s parked in your garage. It’s measured by the roads you’re willing to chase, the friendships you make along the way, and the stories you bring home.
And World Ducati Week 2026 delivered on every front.
The Lenovo Race of Champions once again became the centerpiece of the weekend, as Ducati’s MotoGP and WorldSBK stars set aside championship battles in exchange for pure bragging rights aboard specially prepared Panigale V4s. Fans packed the grandstands to watch heroes like Marc Márquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Franco Morbidelli, Nicolò Bulega, and Álvaro Bautista go wheel-to-wheel. It’s a race you simply won’t see anywhere else—think of it as the NBA All-Star Game of motorcycling. When the checkered flag finally fell, the WorldSBK riders had completely stolen the show—locking out the podium with Nicolò Bulega taking the win, followed by Alberto Surra and Lorenzo Baldassarri. “I beat Marc Marquez!” Bulega said laughingly during the post race presser.
Away from the racetrack, the paddock felt less like a motorcycle festival and more like a giant family reunion. Legendary names such as Casey Stoner, Troy Bayliss, and Carl Fogarty mingled with fans during autograph sessions, riding experiences, stunt shows, and countless conversations. The Heritage Village celebrated a century of Ducati history, while the Garage Contest showcased some of the most creative custom builds anywhere in the world.
Then there were the motorcycles themselves.
The limited-edition Superleggera V4 Centenario and the even more exclusive Tricolore edition quietly stole attention from almost everything around them. They weren’t simply motorcycles on display—they were rolling works of art that reminded everyone just how far Ducati engineering has come over the last century.
And throughout the weekend, there was one sound that never seemed to disappear. Every few minutes, somewhere in the in the track or along the streets surrounding Misano, the unmistakable metallic chatter of Ducati’s dry clutch would cut through the crowd. To non-riders, it might sound like something loose or broken. To Ducatisti, it’s music. It became the unofficial soundtrack of the weekend—a mechanical heartbeat echoing through the circuit, reminding everyone they were exactly where they belonged.
As the sun dipped over the Adriatic, thousands of Ducati motorcycles thundered out of the Misano circuit for the traditional parade through the Riviera before making their way to the Ducati Beach Party in Riccione. It wasn’t just loud—it was emotional. Imagine an entire coastline vibrating to the soundtrack of Desmo engines while strangers from different countries nodded at one another as though they’d been riding together for years. Because, in that moment, they had.
“We started the event in 1998, and it grew through the years,” Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali told us. “In the parade, I almost feel like a hero of some kind. You see the ladies holding up the small kids, cheering. There’s a lot of pride in Italy for Ducati—of course the racing is big, but even as a company. It’s a very emotional thing; it’s kind of a big party.”
Watching that parade weave through the Riviera, it was impossible to disagree. For one unforgettable weekend, entire coastal towns were painted Ducati red.
I was also fortunate enough to spend time aboard two of Ducati’s most anticipated motorcycles for 2026: the new DesertX and the Hypermotard, both powered by Ducati’s all-new V2 engine. Although built for completely different purposes, they share the same DNA—lighter, sharper, and packed with the kind of character that has always defined a Ducati.
Saturday night was the big anniversary, the spectacular “Live the Legend” centenary show retraced one hundred years of innovation, victories, heartbreaks, engineering brilliance, and unforgettable motorcycles. It reminded everyone that Ducati’s greatest achievement isn’t simply building fast motorcycles. It’s building memories.
Perhaps that’s the real magic of Ducati. You don’t simply buy one. You become part of a story that’s been unfolding for a hundred years. And for one unforgettable weekend in Misano, surrounded by more than a hundred thousand fellow Ducatisti dressed in every imaginable shade of Ducati red, it became obvious why this brand inspires such fierce loyalty. Motorcycles may have brought us together, but the people, the journeys, and the shared passion are what keep us coming back.
Happy 100th, Ducati.
Here’s to another century of chasing horizons, conquering mountain passes, owning the track and proving that the very best roads are always the ones shared with friends and family.
