Puneet Balan, Pranav Bakre team up with Ducati for new ISRL Season 3 franchise

Pune, October 28, 2026: Sports entrepreneur Puneet Balan and motorsport specialist Pranav Bakre have partnered with Ducati to launch a new franchise, PBG Ducati Legacy Racing, which will take part in Season 3 of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL).

The partnership brings together the Puneet Balan Group's experience of investing in sport, Bakre's knowledge of superbikes and performance motorsport, and Ducati's international racing heritage. Bakre has joined the franchise as co-owner, while Ducati will field its off-road motorcycles in the competition.

Ducati's Desmo450 MX was unveiled to India at the ISRL Season 2 finale in Calicut. In the coming season the bike will move from display to actual racing. The Desmo250 MX, to be introduced soon, will also feature. The move has been described as an important step in the Italian company's off-road motorsport journey in India.

The new franchise aims to build a competitive presence on the ISRL grid. It wants to strengthen its connection with existing motorsport enthusiasts and take supercross racing to new audiences. Ducati's entry is also expected to add to the technical and competitive depth of the league.

Puneet Balan, chairman and managing director of the Puneet Balan Group and co-owner of PBG Ducati Legacy Racing, said: "We came into ISRL with a vision of building a franchise that reflects passion, performance and the spirit of Indian racing. Pranav joining me as co-owner and Ducati backing the team gives it real strength. Our focus is on making PBG Ducati Legacy Racing a competitive franchise with a strong identity, supporting young sporting talent and giving fans a team they can stand behind. We are excited to begin this journey together in ISRL Season 3."

Bipul Chandra, managing director of Ducati India, said the company received a good response after presenting its off-road programme at last season's finale in Calicut. Chandra said: "We presented Ducati's off-road programme to India at the ISRL Season 2 finale in Calicut, and the response was fantastic. As Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary, we are proud of our racing heritage, the off-road programme is reaching millions of people in many markets around the world, and now in India we have a great platform to show our capability on a competitive grid and establish our leadership. As an OEM, Ducati India is fully committed to this partnership and wants to inspire a new generation of riders across the country in Season 3."

Pranav Bakre, co-owner of PBG Ducati Legacy Racing, stressed the importance of preparation, machinery and team-building in motorsport. Bakre said: "A race is often decided long before the start gate drops, by preparation, by machinery and by the people standing behind every rider. That is the belief at the heart of PBG Ducati Legacy Racing. Puneet has a proven record of building teams and supporting sport, and both of us share a passion for building a team that is ready to compete and win from the very first round. Ducati brings a remarkable global motorsport heritage and engineering excellence to this partnership, and we are honoured to represent the brand on the ISRL grid."

Ishan Lokhande, co-founder and director of ISRL, said Ducati's arrival in the league as a team partner shows growing interest from automobile companies in competitive motorsport in India. Lokhande said: "Ducati introduced its off-road programme in India at our Season 2 finale, and a year later it is supporting a team on our grid through its official dealership. ISRL is a unique meeting of sport and industry, where the automotive sector is investing directly in teams and competition. Two major manufacturers are already supporting teams, and Ducati has become the third major automotive brand to take part in the grid. I am delighted to see this growing commitment, and equally excited that young Indian riders are getting the chance to race on international-standard machines. PBG Ducati Legacy Racing is a strong addition in Season 3, and we look forward to seeing what this partnership gives the sport."

India is one of the world's largest automotive markets and the largest market for two-wheelers. Interest in performance motorcycles and off-road riding is growing here. The arrival of manufacturers and investors in supercross racing shows that the sport has the potential to attract new players, audiences and commercial partnerships.

ISRL gives teams, manufacturers and fans a platform to take part in the growth of supercross racing in the country. With its co-ownership structure and new identity, PBG Ducati Legacy Racing will now focus on preparing for Season 3, with an emphasis on competitive ability, rider development and fan engagement.

The league is promoted by Team Supercross India Pvt. Ltd. (SXI), led by Veer Patel, a former international racer and two-time national supercross champion, and Ishan and Ashwin Lokhande.

The Pune-headquartered Puneet Balan Group has businesses spanning real estate, entertainment, sports and philanthropy. The group's investments and sponsorships extend to cricket, chess, tennis, handball, table tennis, kho kho, badminton and arm wrestling.

Bakre owns Legacy Motors, Ducati's dealership in Pune, and is a co-founder of the Indian Superbike League. His involvement in the motorcycle business and his passion for racing will serve him in his role in the new franchise.