Joey Savatgy has officially found his next home in the 450 class.
Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing announced Thursday, October 29, that the veteran Supercross competitor has signed a multi-year agreement to join its factory-backed program beginning in 2027.
Savatgy will race alongside RJ Hampshire, completing an entirely new two-rider lineup for Ducati's second season competing in the American Supercross championship.
The announcement also resolves one of the remaining questions in the 2027 rider market following Savatgy's recent departure from Quad Lock Honda.
Savatgy Returns to a Factory-Backed Program
For Savatgy, the move represents a significant opportunity after a competitive 2026 campaign.
The Georgia native competed with Quad Lock Honda before the organization confirmed their separation on October 16.
With his destination initially uncertain, Savatgy became another prominent name in an offseason already defined by major rider transfers and team changes.
Now, the former 250SX championship contender will join Ducati's growing American racing operation.
The agreement covers multiple seasons, giving Savatgy an opportunity to develop his relationship with the organization beyond a single championship campaign.
The exact expiration year has not been announced.
Savatgy will compete in AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and the SuperMotocross postseason.
A Strong 2026 Season Earns New Opportunity
Savatgy brings extensive experience to Ducati's 450 program.
After beginning his professional career in 2013, he emerged as a consistent contender in the 250 division and finished runner-up in the 2016 250SX East championship.
His transition to the premier class came in 2019, when he earned 450SX Rookie of the Year honors.
Since then, Savatgy has continued competing against some of the sport's most established riders.
His 2026 AMA Supercross campaign included five top-five finishes and 12 top-10 results, according to the team's announcement.
One of his strongest performances came at the Philadelphia Supercross, where he finished fourth in the 450SX Main Event.
The consistency of those results demonstrated his ability to compete near the front of the field.
Now, Ducati will provide Savatgy with another opportunity to build on that momentum.
RJ Hampshire and Savatgy Complete Ducati's 2027 Lineup
Savatgy joins RJ Hampshire, whose signing with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing was officially announced October 7.
Hampshire, the 2024 AMA 250SX West champion, is also entering a new chapter of his career with the Italian manufacturer.
Both riders have signed multi-year agreements.
The combination gives Ducati two experienced competitors as it continues developing its American 450 racing program.
For Hampshire, 2027 presents an opportunity to establish himself in the premier class.
For Savatgy, the focus will be translating his recent results into further progress aboard a new motorcycle.
Together, they form a lineup that will be central to Ducati's next phase of competition in the United States.
Ducati Moves Forward After Barcia and Ferrandis
The new pairing also marks a substantial change from Ducati's inaugural American Supercross lineup.
Justin Barcia and Dylan Ferrandis represented Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati during the manufacturer's first AMA Supercross campaign in 2026.
Both have since departed.
Barcia has signed with Suzuki and Pipes Motorsports Group for 2027, while Ferrandis announced his retirement from professional racing following the 2026 SuperMotocross season.
With Savatgy and Hampshire now confirmed, Ducati enters its second AMA Supercross season with an entirely different rider combination.
That creates both opportunities and challenges for the organization.
The team will need to integrate its new riders, continue developing its motorcycle and build consistency throughout the demanding championship calendar.
However, securing both competitors on multi-year contracts gives Ducati continuity as it works toward its longer-term competitive goals.
What to Expect From Ducati in 2027
The 2027 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season begins January 9 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
For Savatgy, the opening round will mark another important transition in a professional career spanning more than a decade.
He has already demonstrated that he can produce consistent top-five results in the 450 class.
The next question is how effectively he can adapt to the Ducati program and build on those performances.
Hampshire will face his own challenge as he continues his transition to premier-class competition.
For Ducati, the objective is to establish a stronger foundation during its second season in the American championship.
One thing is now confirmed: Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing will field Joey Savatgy and RJ Hampshire as its announced 2027 450 lineup.
With both riders signed to multi-year agreements, the team's attention turns to preseason testing and preparation for Anaheim 1.
Supercross.com will continue covering their progress and the remaining confirmed 2027 rider announcements.
Explore Joey Savatgy's rider profile, RJ Hampshire's rider profile and our 2027 Supercross Team Lineups hub for the latest official information.
Photo: Align Media / Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing — Joey Savatgy with the #17 Ducati Desmo450 at the team's 2027 announcement.
