Kayla Yaakov Celebrates Ducati's 100th Anniversary with Exclusive MotoGP Experience

Sunnyvale, Calif., July 9, 2026 — Ducati North America is proud to celebrate MotoAmerica racer Kayla Yaakov's participation in Ducati's exclusive MotoGP Experience following World Ducati Week 2026, where Ducatisti from around the world gathered at the Misano World Circuit to celebrate Ducati's 100th Anniversary. During the experience, Yaakov rode Marc Márquez's Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26 and Nicolò Bulega's Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R WorldSBK bikes, becoming the first woman to ride a Ducati MotoGP motorcycle.

Yaakov joined Ducati riders, employees, dealers, and enthusiasts from across the globe for World Ducati Week, the largest gathering of Ducatisti in the world. Held every two years at the Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli," the 2026 edition carried special significance as it celebrated 100 years of Ducati. The event featured racing legends, current MotoGP and WorldSBK riders, track activities, and exclusive experiences that showcased Ducati's racing heritage and passion for performance.

Following the conclusion of World Ducati Week, Yaakov remained in Misano to participate in Ducati's exclusive MotoGP Experience. Hosted by the Ducati Lenovo Team and DRE Academy, the two-day program offers an exclusive group of Ducatisti the opportunity to experience the peak of motorcycle racing on the Ducati Desmosedici GP26—the very same bike competing in the MotoGP World Championship. As part of the experience, Yaakov also received coaching and guidance from Casey Stoner, two-time MotoGP World Champion, and Michele Pirro, Ducati Corse MotoGP Test Rider.

In addition to riding Marc Márquez's Desmosedici GP26, Yaakov also completed laps aboard Nicolò Bulega's Ducati Panigale V4 R WorldSBK motorcycle, giving her the rare opportunity to experience two of Ducati's most advanced motorcycles on one of Italy's most iconic circuits.

Already one of America's fastest young road-racing talents, Yaakov has quickly established herself as a frontrunner in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship aboard her Ducati Panigale V2 for Rahal Ducati Moto. Her participation in the MotoGP Experience reflects Ducati's continued investment in developing riders and creating opportunities that celebrate success on and off the racetrack.

"To have the opportunity to ride Marc Márquez's Desmosedici GP26 is something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Being invited to celebrate Ducati's 100th Anniversary at World Ducati Week was special, but riding a MotoGP bike was an unbelievable honor. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do since I was three years old and I'm incredibly grateful to Ducati for making this experience possible."

The Ducati MotoGP Experience hosts clients alongside Ducati Lenovo Team engineers and DRE Academy instructors before their laps aboard the Desmosedici GP26. Designed to immerse riders in Ducati's racing culture, engineering excellence, and championship-winning technology, the program offers an experience unlike any other in motorcycling.

Kayla will continue her 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport season this weekend at the famed Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey, California, on July 10-12, 2026.