Kayla Yaakov Makes History After Riding Marc Márquez’s MotoGP Ducati at Misano
MotoAmerica Supersport star Kayla Yaakov achieved a remarkable milestone following World Ducati Week 2026, becoming the first woman to ride a Ducati MotoGP motorcycle during Ducati’s exclusive MotoGP Experience at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” in Italy.
Fresh from taking part in the celebrations for Ducati’s 100th anniversary at World Ducati Week, Yaakov remained at Misano for the prestigious two-day experience hosted by the Ducati Lenovo Team and the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) Academy. The programme offers a select group of participants the rare opportunity to ride the very same Ducati Desmosedici GP26 currently competing in the MotoGP World Championship.
For Yaakov, the experience was made even more special as she climbed aboard Marc Márquez’s Ducati Lenovo Team Desmosedici GP26, experiencing first-hand the performance of one of the most advanced racing motorcycles in the world. She also completed laps on Nicolò Bulega’s Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R WorldSBK machine, giving her the unique opportunity to sample both Ducati’s premier MotoGP and WorldSBK machinery on one of Italy’s most iconic circuits.
Throughout the experience, Yaakov received guidance from two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner alongside Ducati Corse MotoGP test rider Michele Pirro. Their coaching provided invaluable insight into extracting the maximum performance from Ducati’s championship-winning motorcycles while showcasing the engineering and technology behind the Italian manufacturer’s racing success.
Already recognised as one of America’s brightest young road racing talents, Yaakov has continued to impress in the 2026 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship aboard the Rahal Ducati Moto Panigale V2. Her invitation to Ducati’s exclusive MotoGP Experience highlighted the manufacturer’s commitment to developing emerging talent while rewarding riders with unforgettable opportunities at the highest level of motorcycle racing.
Reflecting on the occasion, Yaakov described riding Marc Márquez’s Desmosedici GP26 as a dream come true and an experience she would remember for the rest of her life. Having attended World Ducati Week during the company’s centenary celebrations, she said the chance to finally ride a MotoGP motorcycle fulfilled a lifelong ambition that began when she was just three years old.
The MotoGP Experience remains one of Ducati’s most exclusive programmes, immersing participants in the world of MotoGP through close interaction with Ducati Lenovo Team engineers and DRE Academy instructors before taking to the track on the Desmosedici GP26. It offers a unique glimpse into the technology, precision and performance that have made Ducati one of the dominant forces in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
For Yaakov, the historic achievement marked another significant step in an already promising career and further cemented her place among the rising stars of international motorcycle racing.
Picture Credits: Ducati