Bengaluru, India, October 29, 2026: PBG Racing, led by sports entrepreneur Punit Balan, has partnered with Ducati and motorsport specialist Pranav Bakre to launch PBG Ducati Legacy Racing for Season 3 of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL).

The new franchise will be co-owned by Balan and Bakre, bringing together PBG Racing’s multi-sport investment experience, Bakre’s expertise in superbikes and performance motorsport, and Ducati’s global racing heritage.

Ducati’s entry into the ISRL grid marks another step in the Italian manufacturer’s off-road motorsport programme in India. The company unveiled its Desmo450 MX at the ISRL Season 2 finale in Calicut, while the new Desmo250 MX is set to be unveiled soon. The two motorcycles will compete against machinery fielded by other teams in Season 3.

The partnership aims to build a competitive team while strengthening connections with existing motorsport fans and introducing Supercross to new audiences. Ducati’s experience in MotoGP and the World Superbike Championship, along with its distinctive Desmodromic engineering, adds an established international racing identity to the franchise.

PBG Ducati Legacy Racing targets competitive ISRL campaign

Punit Balan, Chairman and Managing Director of the Punit Balan Group and co-owner of PBG Ducati Legacy Racing, said the team was formed with a vision to combine performance, passion and the spirit of Indian racing.

He said Bakre’s entry as co-owner and Ducati’s backing would provide a strong foundation for the franchise. The team’s priorities include building a competitive identity, supporting young sporting talent and creating a team that fans can rally behind.

Ducati India Managing Director Bipul Chandra said the response to the brand’s off-road programme at the ISRL Season 2 finale had been encouraging. He added that Ducati was committed to the partnership and saw the league as a platform to demonstrate its capabilities while inspiring a new generation of Indian riders.

Chandra’s remarks come as Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary, with the manufacturer looking to strengthen its presence in off-road competition in India.

Bakre said preparation, machinery and the people supporting each rider would be central to the team’s approach. He added that the partnership would combine Balan’s experience in building teams and supporting sport with Ducati’s engineering capabilities and international motorsport legacy.

Ducati becomes third major automotive brand on ISRL grid

Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder and Director of ISRL, said Ducati’s participation reflected growing investment by automotive manufacturers in the league. He noted that Ducati had introduced its off-road programme in India at the previous season’s finale and was now backing a team through its official dealership.

According to Lokhande, Ducati becomes the third major automotive brand to participate on the ISRL grid, with two other major manufacturers already backing teams. He also highlighted the opportunity for young Indian riders to compete on internationally competitive machinery.