The starting point is the Paris-based Rétromobile show—one of Europe's premier venues dedicated to automotive and motorcycle history. For Ducati, this is more than mere participation; it serves as a structured way to illustrate the brand's key developmental stages.
Rétromobile as the Kickoff to the Centennial Year
The Rétromobile exhibition will take place from January 28 to February 1, 2026, at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles complex in Paris's 15th arrondissement. This is where Ducati initiates its anniversary program, highlighting the connections between the brand's history, engineering, and sporting achievements.
A dedicated stand has been prepared for the event, designed as a sequential journey through the brand's history. The display is organized so that each motorcycle contributes to the overall narrative and represents a specific era in Ducati's evolution.
24 Motorcycles Reflecting the Sporting DNA
The core of the stand features 24 sports motorcycles spanning various decades. This selection underscores Ducati's focus on competition and technological advancement. All exhibits are chosen with an emphasis on models that played significant roles in shaping the brand's image and its successes on the racetrack.
The display extends beyond static presentation: each motorcycle is contextualized within the broader historical framework, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of engineering solutions, design, and approaches to creating sports machinery.
Monster and Superbike: Two Key Lines
A separate section is devoted to the Monster lineup, which has remained one of Ducati's most recognizable models since 1993. The stand will showcase early versions, including the Monster M900, as well as the 2026 model making its French debut. This retrospective demonstrates how the concept of a straightforward and powerful roadster has adapted over time.
The second major portion of the display focuses on track-oriented sports motorcycles. It includes Superbike models from the Ducati 851 to the contemporary Panigale V4 R. These machines illustrate the brand's trajectory in global motorsport and its contributions to the development of production sports motorcycles.
Collectible and Racing Exhibits
Special attention is drawn to two racing motorcycles: a 2022-season MotoGP prototype and a Superbike used in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) in 2024 and 2025. These examples will not only be on display but also offered for sale, making them particularly valuable for collectors.
Among the historical models are the Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE with the racer's autograph and the 1946 Cucciolo—the motorcycle that marked the beginning of the company's motorcycle history.
Conclusion
Ducati's participation in Rétromobile 2026 serves as a logical starting point for the centennial year. The display integrates production models, racing machines, and rare historical examples, systematically revealing the brand's century-long path and its role in the development of the sports motorcycle world.
