Ducati produces the bikes for its factory MotoGP team. The team’s racing division, Ducati Corse, designs, develops and operates the Ducati Desmosedici GP race motorcycles used by the works squad.
Ducati Corse was established in 1999 and became Ducati’s dedicated motorsport department. Ducati entered the premier-class world championship in 2003 with the Desmosedici, powered by a 990cc four-stroke V4 engine under the regulations then in force. Loris Capirossi gave Ducati its first MotoGP victory at the 2003 Catalan Grand Prix.
The factory team is distinct from satellite teams, although Ducati also supplies Desmosedici motorcycles, parts and technical support to customer squads. That arrangement can cause confusion: a rider may compete on a Ducati without riding for Ducati’s factory team. Other manufacturers such as Yamaha, Honda and Aprilia field their own MotoGP machines and teams.