Italy will start the three main motos of Sunday’s 79th FIM Motocross of Nations from fourth on the grid after the national team placed fourth in the qualifying race. Ferruccio Zanchi contributed an eighth-place finish in MX2 at the Raymond Demy circuit in Ernée.

The event marks Zanchi’s first Motocross of Nations appearance. It is also the international debut of Ducati’s Desmo250 MX, entered in MX2 by the Beddini Racing Ducati MX2 Factory Team. The machine is carrying Italy’s colours, following the Desmo450 MX’s debut at the same event one year earlier.

From 28th on the grid to eighth

Zanchi opened the day with ninth place in morning free practice. A Friday ballot put Italy at the back of the starting order, leaving him 28th for the MX2 qualifying race. He launched well but was forced wide in the first corner and crossed it in 16th position.

The Ducati rider made steady progress from there. He was 11th at the end of lap one and continued forward to take eighth at the chequered flag. Alongside teammates Alberto Forato and Andrea Adamo, that result helped Italy secure fourth in the qualifying classification and the matching start position for Sunday’s three main motos.

The Raymond Demy circuit measures 1,670 metres and runs over hard-packed clay, with major uphill and downhill sections shaping the layout. The demanding Ernée track therefore provided the setting for the Desmo250 MX’s first Motocross of Nations appearance, while Italy now has fourth choice of starting position for the Sunday programme.