In its centenary year, Ducati has dipped into its racing archives to create something truly special for 2026 – the limited-edition Formula 73.
Production is capped at just 873 individually numbered units, a nod to 1973, the year of the legendary Ducati 750 Super Sport Desmo. That Imola-bred icon forms the spiritual backbone of the new machine, and the inspiration is hard to miss.
The Formula 73 wears a slim cafe racer silhouette, finished in a striking silver and aqua-green livery drawn from Ducati’s historical records. A vertical gold stripe slices through the tank – an homage to the original Imola racer’s fuel-check strip. Clip-on handlebars, bar-end mirrors and a compact fairing keep things old-school, while billet aluminium levers, footpegs and a Rizoma fuel cap add a modern, premium touch.
Underneath the retro skin lies familiar Ducati hardware. Power comes from the charismatic 803cc air-cooled Desmodue L-twin, delivering a claimed 73 bhp at 8,250 rpm. It’s not about outright numbers, it’s about feel. And with a Termignoni-developed silencer onboard, expect the kind of raw mechanical soundtrack that makes every ride an occasion.
The bike rolls on 17-inch spoked wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres. Modern electronics, including traction control, cornering ABS, a quickshifter and two riding modes, ensure the Formula 73 rides as sharp as it looks.
Each unit carries its serial number on the steering plate and comes with a certificate of authenticity and archival material from the Ducati Style Centre. Ducati has also released a short film, A Piece of Timeless, featuring actor and enthusiast Stefano Accorsi, celebrating this evocative tribute.
