Calvin Vlaanderen finished seventh in the final qualifying race of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship, as the series reached round 19 at Darwin, Australia. Ferruccio Zanchi added a tenth-place result in the MX2 qualifying race, giving Ducati two finishes inside the top ten across the weekend’s two classes. The results and race account were supplied by Ducati.

Darwin hosted the championship finale for the second consecutive year. The Australian round brought a 19-event championship to a close after a schedule spanning five continents, with the series travelling from Argentina to Australia through Europe, South Africa and China. The circuit is located within the Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex, on the outskirts of the Northern Territory capital.

Ducati describes the track as hard-packed, with dusty soil and a fast layout reminiscent of American circuits. Vlaanderen began the day with the eighth-fastest free-practice time, then recorded the sixth-fastest lap in timed practice. The Dutchman was riding the Desmo450 MX for the Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team.

His qualifying-race start initially looked promising, but he was boxed in at the first turn and emerged outside the top ten after losing several positions. Vlaanderen had climbed to ninth by the end of the second lap. Over the remaining distance he continued to recover places, completing the 14-lap race in seventh. Ducati characterised the ride as evidence of his strong form, although the result itself was the key outcome of the Darwin qualifying race.

Zanchi recovers to tenth in MX2

Ferruccio Zanchi was competing at the Darwin track for the first time. The Beddini Racing Ducati Factory MX2 Team rider made steady progress through the earlier sessions, finishing ninth in free practice before placing tenth in timed practice. Ducati said he gained confidence with each outing on the circuit.

The qualifying race was more difficult. A chaotic start left Zanchi in 12th position, requiring him to make up ground during the race. Riding the Desmo250 MX, he recovered enough places to finish tenth. That result placed both Ducati riders in the top ten of their respective qualifying races at the Australian finale, with Vlaanderen seventh in MXGP and Zanchi tenth in MX2.