Hero Racing and Ducati North America Capture AORC National Championship in First Season with Desmo450 EDX

Perfect season completion sees Hero Racing finish every AORC race without a DNF, capped by victory at the Laughlin Desert Classic

SUNNYVALE, CA – October 24, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –  Hero Racing and Ducati North America have secured the American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC), marking a major milestone for the first-generation Desmo450 EDX in its inaugural season of American desert racing. Hero Racing, supported by Malcolm Smith Motorsports, sealed the championship with a victory at the historic Laughlin Desert Classic, capping a historic inaugural season defined by speed, consistency, and reliability.

Throughout the AORC season, Hero Racing completed every race without a single DNF, demonstrating the durability and competitiveness of the Desmo450 EDX across the demanding off-road championship. The title represents a significant achievement for Ducati Off-Road, establishing the first-generation EDX platform as a championship-winning machine in its debut season.

At the Laughlin Desert Classic, one of American off-road racing’s most historic events, Ciaran Naran and teammate Cody Simpson delivered the winning performance. Racing under the grand prix finish format, the duo finished just ahead of their closest competitor by just under 28 seconds, with only 12 racers completing all five scheduled laps. The victory secured the AORC championship for Hero Racing and brought Ducati’s inaugural season of desert racing to a successful conclusion.

The championship reflects the combined efforts of Hero Racing and Ducati Off-Road, whose focus on development, technical preparation, and race-day execution helped deliver results across the full season. Completing every AORC race without a DNF underscores the consistency behind the title and provides a strong foundation for Ducati’s continued ambitions in American off-road competition.

With a national championship secured in its first season, the Desmo450 EDX has made an immediate mark on American off-road racing. The result signals a strong start for Ducati Off-Road and a promising foundation for the program’s future.

Source: Ducati Motor Holding SpA

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