Tim Neave and VRX Power Maxed Dirt Store Ducati become Flat Track World Champions with the Desmo450 MX

• VRX Power Maxed Dirt Store Ducati Race Team’s Tim Neave is the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Champion
• Ducati win the Manufacturers’ Award
• The Desmo450 MX is a championship-winning bike in its debut Flat Track season

Toim Neave secured the 2026 FIM Flat Track crown during a weekend double-header in Argentina which concluded a gruelling ten-round series in which the new Ducati team made a sensational entry into the competition with the Desmo450 MX. 

The title battle over the year has been fought out between Neave, his Ducati team-mate Ashton Boughen and Triumph’s Jack Bell who moved into contention with a pair of wins in mid-season.

After the eighth round in the Czech Republic earlier this month Neave held a 19-point advantage in the standings over Boughen, with Bell a further five points adrift. However, Boughen’s chances were ended when he suffered concussion in a practice crash in the build-up to Round 9, meaning only one Ducati took to the track at Totoras.

The opening meeting of back-to-back rounds saw the riders take on the demanding TT circuit featuring a twisty infield section which caught out several competitors along the way, whilst the European regulars also had to contend with some strong local entries.

Neave came through from the back row to defeat Bell when they met in Heat 11, and both riders avoided trouble to reach the Final in second and third places after the qualifying heats, level on points on the day.

It meant Neave had the opportunity to clinch the title if he could extend his overall advantage over Bell by three points, but in fact the rivals finished second and third in an incident-free race behind home star Matias Lorenzato.

Had Neave taken fastest lap that would have wrapped things up but it was Lorenzato who added the extra point, and that meant Neave’s requirement in the Sunday meeting on the more conventional oval was to reach the Last Chance race and ensure one World Championship point.

This was never in doubt as he finished second in his first ride to Juan Jose Coduri before winning Heat 5, a result which all-but guaranteed his progression – which was made mathematically certain when he also won Heat 9 to spark the title celebrations.

Ironically after a season built around outstanding consistency and speed, Neave suffered his one major setback in the Final after the Championship was won, when he stalled after leaving the start and was classified 12th, with Coduri snatching the win after clear leader Lorenzato inexplicably crashed out on lap nine.

Neave finished 20 points clear of Bell in the final standings, with a solid weekend for former World Champion Gerard Bailo seeing him complete the podium in third place.

Despite missing two rounds at the end of the season Boughen was still classified a highly impressive fourth overall, remaining ahead of Czech duo Ondrej Svedik and Ervin Krajcovic, the latter remarkably failing to score in both Argentinean rounds.

Ducati, meanwhile, were clear winners of the manufacturers’ award, finishing 23 points clear of KTM who edged out Triumph for second place.

After an extraordinary debut campaign in a fast-growing series which has enjoyed a significant increase in global attention in 2026, VRX Power Maxed Dirt Store Ducati Race Team will now head into a winter of work to prepare for a 2027 season which promises to be even more competitive.

Tim Neave (VRX Power Maxed Dirt Store Ducati #54)
2026 FIM Flat Track World Champion
“This has been four years in the making. It’s been a long time trying to build up to this point. This year, for the first time ever, everything fell into place, and we did it!

We had a solid day on the TT with second place and an increase in the Championship lead once again. I played it safe and brought it home for a good points haul. I will put my hands up and say I made a big mistake (in the Final on Sunday)! It was my fault, I just mistimed it, the bike stalled and that was the end of the race.

What a year it has been. I owe a big thanks to my amazing team, and everyone who has stood beside me over the years. The title is for my friends, my family and the team who have given me everything I needed to win the Championship, and all the people who have helped me. I’ve been riding bikes for a few years now, so there’s a lot of people who have helped me along the way!” 

Learn more about the Desmo450 MX here.