A formula of elegance
Ducati has unveiled the new Formula 73 motorcycle, a tribute to one of the most iconic models in its history — the 750 Super Sport Desmo from the 1970s, the brand's first production bike with a desmodromic valve actuation system. It also commemorates the legendary victory at the "200 Miles of Imola" race, which marked the beginning of Ducati's desmodromic machines' triumphant run on racing podiums.
The Ducati Formula 73 reinterprets the sleek, dynamic lines of the 750 Super Sport Desmo through a contemporary lens. The iconic air-cooled Ducati twin-cylinder engine is housed within a minimalist and elegant aesthetic that strikes a balance between urban café-racer style and racing heritage. The silver-and-teal livery, developed by the Centro Stile Ducati, pays homage to the original color scheme, while the gold vertical stripe on the fuel tank replicates the unpainted section of the 750 Imola Desmo tank, which was used for checking fuel levels. Clip-on handlebars with bar-end mirrors, a rigidly mounted retro fairing, and a tapered tail section enhance the bike's character, while milled aluminum components — levers, footpegs, and the Rizoma fuel cap — give it a refined, finished look that leaves little room for further customization.
Technically, the Formula 73 is based on the Ducati Scrambler 800, featuring an L-twin Desmodue engine with a desmodromic two-valve timing system that produces 73 hp at 8,250 rpm and 65 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. The equipment package is further enhanced by electronic systems including Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Cornering ABS, Ducati Quick Shift, and selectable riding modes.
The Ducati Formula 73 is produced in a limited edition of 873 individually numbered units.
This premiere might have escaped our attention were it not for its advertising campaign. To showcase the new model in the most favorable light, the Italians produced an atmospheric video set against the picturesque shores of Lake Iseo, with the Bellini Astor 36 motor yacht playing a supporting role.
The Bellini brand's history dates back to 1960, when entrepreneur Battista Bellini, driven by an enduring passion for the sea, joined forces with Mr. Piantoni of Sarnico to create the first boats under the name Sebino (an alternative name for Lake Iseo). Thus were born elegant wooden boats of rare expressiveness and sophistication. In 2023, with the involvement of iconic figures in the yachting world such as Norberto Ferretti, the Bellini Yachts brand was launched. Today, alongside the careful preservation of historical heritage and the restoration of vintage boats and yachts — primarily from the Riva brand — the company produces a line of modern, elegant motor yachts under the Astor name. The brand recently released a collaboration with renowned contemporary artist Daniel Arsham.
On Lake Iseo, time flows differently. It does not move in a straight line but seems to spiral, drawing into its vortex the quiet luxury of aristocratic villas, the ribbon of asphalt winding along the shores, the scents of evergreen forests, and the mist that descends from the mountains as gracefully as the heroine of a classical operetta at La Scala making her curtsy. It is in this setting that the film A Piece of Timeless brings together two passionately beating hearts: the Ducati Formula 73 motorcycle and the Bellini Astor 36 motor yacht. When actor Stefano Accorsi rides the motorcycle out from the shade of centuries-old plane trees or takes the yacht's helm, leaving a smooth wake across the water, the words of Giorgio Armani come to mind: "L'eleganza non significa essere notati, significa essere ricordati" — "Elegance is not about being noticed, it's about being remembered."
Stefano Accorsi is himself an avid Ducati enthusiast. In A Piece of Timeless, his voiceover reflects on the connection between acting and riding.
"It's wonderful when, in a film, they ask you to ride a motorcycle. It's a pity, though, that they never let you ride for long enough. I was delighted when I saw this bike — it would be great to have more time on it. I like motorcycles with clip-ons, like this one: they make you feel as one with the machine. I feel more confident when I'm riding 'on' a motorcycle rather than 'in' one. And clip-ons contribute to that feeling."
"I've spent a great deal of time both on set and in the saddle, and I suddenly realized something that happens in both places. On set, at first, everyone is running about, setting up lights, there's commotion and a thousand minor issues. And then, suddenly, the background noise vanishes, as if the world has been left behind a closed door. It's the same on a motorcycle. You might have been thinking about something, maybe you're tired, maybe the day wasn't great. But then you turn the key, start the engine, lower the visor on your helmet, and all of that stays outside. From that moment on, there is only the here and now."
"A great director once said that when an actor steps onto the stage, he always comes from afar. Like acting, a motorcycle transports you to another reality. When you're riding, you always have to be ready for the unexpected — it's a kind of liminal state, a suspension in time and space. If I had to describe that feeling, I'd say it's like being in A Piece of Timeless — a slice of eternity."
