Paolo Ciabatti had commented in recent days that he would certainly take a step back from the Grand Prix paddock this season, but with this official news we learn that it will be more than that. Indeed, in 2024, he will no longer be the Sports Director of Ducati Corse. He will be replaced by Mauro Grassilli who was until then the head of marketing.
Paolo ciabatti was the sports director of Ducati Corse from 2013 to 2023 and it will change direction in 2024. But there is no fish in the rock nor reason to worry for the one who formed the trio that we believed to be inseparable forever with Gigi Dall'Igna et Davide Tardozzi. It is undoubtedly even a pleasure for the person concerned who has never hidden his passion for off-roading. And indeed, he will supervise the Ducati motocross project.
After the hiring of the nine-time world champion Tony Cairoli as tester and ambassador, a separate off-road department within Ducati Corse was created in Borgo Panigale. Paolo ciabatti will be general director of this department Ducati Corse Off-Road. In this function he will report directly to Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, of the evolution of the organization and management of the sports program which, after the debut in the Italian 450 cc Championship in 2024, also includes participation in the MXGP World Championship from the season 2025.
Paolo Ciabatti becomes Ducati's Gigi Dall'Igna in motocross
What's more, Ciabatta will continue to coordinate Ducati's sporting activities in the main national Superbike and Supersport series (MotoAmerica, British Superbike, All Japan Superbike, Australian Superbike and CIV).
His successor as sporting director of Ducati Corse will be Mauro Grassilli, previously responsible for marketing and sponsorships and communications for Ducati's racing department. Grassilli will report to Gigi Dall'Igna, general manager of Ducati Corse. The commitment to the MotoGP and the WorldSBK obviously remains unchanged, with the clear objective of extending the series of successes achieved in the last period, especially this year.