Unbeatable Flow: Motul, Ciaran Naran and Hero Racing Conquer the Desert Aboard New Ducati Offroad Motorcycle

In the unforgiving world of off-road desert racing, finding your "flow" is the ultimate pursuit.

Photos By: Hero Racing Ducati

Unbeatable Flow: Motul, Ciaran Naran and Hero Racing Conquer the Desert Aboard New Ducati Offroad Motorcycle

For Hero Offroad rider Ciaran Naran, the 2026 season has been a masterclass in establishing that perfect rhythm, with the help of Motul, the team’s official lubricant partner. Piloting the Ducati Desmo450 EDX, Ducati’s new off-road platform, Naran is putting together a spectacular campaign defined by regular podiums, landmark victories, and remarkable mechanical success, which is no surprise when considering Motul's legacy of being a part of great racing performances.  

 Transitioning to a brand-new factory platform is a big challenge in desert racing, where teams often need a perfect setup just to survive the hundreds of miles of off-road terrain. Unlimited Pro class rules offer total freedom, but as Hero Racing Team Manager Giovanni Spinali notes, the lack of aftermarket parts for the new Ducati meant developing their own custom chassis setups and stabilizer mounts on incredibly tight timelines. Despite these hurdles, the new Ducati has felt like a homecoming for Naran, unlocking handling characteristics that mirror motorcycles from his early career and allowing him to re-establish his true form and delivering blinding speeds at every race. 

 "The Ducati has been awesome," Naran shared. "I feel like every time I get on it; I’m getting a little bit more comfortable and starting to find our flow again." 

 The true testament to the value of the team’s partnership with Motul took place under the brutal Nevada desert conditions of the Mint 400.  

 Mid-race, Naran's bike suffered a catastrophic loss...the oil filler cap was gone, resulting in the engine bleeding out nearly 1,000 ccs of oil. Despite being pinned wide open across 30 miles of high-speed desert terrain with only a fraction of its total capacity remaining, the motorcycle crossed the finish line strong. A subsequent tear-down revealed zero engine wear—a spectacular performance that Naran and Spinali credit entirely to the film strength, thermal protection and reliability of Motul lubricants. Refilled and running perfectly, that exact race engine remains in service today. 

Beyond the trophies, what sets Hero Racing apart is its mission as a registered non-profit organization. Founded on the principle of "Helping Everyone Reach Out," the team has, throughout its14-yearhistory, donated cutting-edge prosthetics to disabled veterans and children, along side providing ongoing support for Mexican orphanages. 

Backed by Motul's race-winning technology, Naran and Hero Racing are proving that an unbreakable competitive spirit and a dedication to giving back are a dominant combination. With the historic Baja 500 looming in June, the team's momentum is undeniable.

Words By: Steve Piehl

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