Ducati has unveiled the Formula 73, a limited edition motorcycle created to honour one of the most important machines in the company’s history, the 750 Super Sport Desmo, and to mark its centenary year.
Produced in a numbered series of 873 units, the Formula 73 is a contemporary interpretation of the 1973 750 Super Sport, the first Ducati road bike equipped with the brand’s desmodromic valve timing system.
That model emerged in the wake of Ducati’s famous 1972 victory at the 200 Miglia di Imola, where Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari rode the 750 Imola Desmo to a landmark win that reshaped the company’s fortunes and reputation.
The Imola triumph was more than a race victory.
It signalled the beginning of Ducati’s long standing dominance in production based racing, a record that would grow to include more than 400 wins and multiple world titles.
The 750 Super Sport Desmo that followed brought that racing pedigree to the road and established the core values that continue to define Ducati today: style, engineering sophistication and performance.
The Formula 73 has been designed as an Urban Café Racer, blending heritage design cues with modern engineering.
Its silver and aqua green livery is drawn directly from archival research carried out by the Ducati Style Centre.
A vertical gold stripe on the tank pays tribute to the unpainted strip on the original Imola machine that allowed teams to check fuel levels quickly without adding extra instruments.
The bike’s silhouette is deliberately clean and purposeful.
Clip on handlebars, bar end mirrors, a short tapered fairing and matching tail section reinforce its racing inspired character.
Billet aluminium components, including brake and clutch levers, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap, underline its attention to detail and limited edition status.
Each motorcycle carries its serial number on the steering plate and is supplied with a certificate of authenticity and archive material presented in a dedicated collector’s box.
Power comes from an 803cc air cooled Desmodue L twin engine with desmodromic distribution and two valves per cylinder.
Producing 73 horsepower at 8,250rpm, the engine is Euro5+ compliant while retaining the mechanical character that has long defined Ducati twins.
A silencer developed in collaboration with Termignoni gives the Formula 73 a distinctive voice, while ride by wire technology ensures smooth and progressive throttle response.
Although rooted in the past, the Formula 73 is fully equipped for modern riding.
Electronic systems include traction control, cornering ABS, Ducati Quick Shift and two riding modes, ensuring safety and adaptability whether commuting through the city or riding over mountain passes.
The steel trellis frame, painted to complement the livery, strengthens the visual and technical link to the original Super Sport.
Combined with 17 inch spoked wheels fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, the chassis promises agility and everyday usability.
The Ducati Formula 73 will reach European dealerships in spring 2026, with global distribution completed by the end of summer.
It stands as both a tribute to a defining chapter in Ducati’s history and a modern expression of the values that continue to drive the brand forward.
