Tiziano Interno is preparing to tackle the 2027 Dakar with a Ducati Desmo450 EDS transformed into a rally bike by Rebel X Sports. The project comes before Ducati has committed to a factory Dakar programme of its own. The machine was unveiled at EICMA in Milan, while Rebel X Sports has announced plans for a limited run of 35 bikes, with design assistance from Italian firm Hyle Project.

The starting point is the Desmo450 EDS enduro, priced at £11,245, with a 449.6cc single-cylinder engine and a claimed 53.7bhp when fitted with the racing kit. The conversion focuses on fuel range and durability for rally conditions: four tanks and two fuel pumps raise capacity to 34 litres, compared with 8.5 litres on the standard version. Rebel X Sports has also fitted Showa A Kit competition suspension, a tall screen and a navigation tower.

More power without factory development

The bike may look like an official race machine, but Ducati has not been involved in its development. Work started at the beginning of August, and the completed machine made its public appearance at EICMA. Interno says a dedicated Akrapovič exhaust and ECU have added 6bhp compared with the standard motorcycle.

Interno will race without outside assistance in the Original by Motul category, also known as Malle Moto. The 2027 Dakar is scheduled for January 9 to 23, with the route running through Portugal and then Morocco. This course replaces Saudi Arabia because of security issues, while a return there is expected in 2028.

Six starts and a deliberately practical target

The Italian rider already has six Dakar participations behind him. His best result is eighth in the independent class and 36th overall. Victory is not the stated ambition this time: Interno wants to reach the finish and make the bike the first Ducati to complete the event. Ahead of the start, he plans two weeks of testing in Morocco, followed by construction of a second machine shaped by the findings from those tests. The project is being documented online under the name Rally POV.