Claudio Domenicali has replaced Gabriele Del Torchio as the CEO of Ducati Motor Holding.

Ducati Motor Holding has announced that current general manager and member of the board of directors, Claudio Domenicali, will replace current CEO Gabriele Del Torchio who departs the company to become the new CEO at the Alitalia airline.

Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management of AUDI AG and chairman of the board of directors of Ducati Motor Holding, praised the successful work of Gabriele Del Torchio, who has spent six years at the top of the premium brand.

“Del Torchio guided Ducati out of an economically difficult phase, back to a successful growth path and to the top of the worldwide segment of premium performance motorcycles,” said Stadler.

“For that achievement, we express our gratitude on behalf of all Audi and Ducati employees and wish him all the best in his future tasks.”

Del Torchio said he had enjoyed six intensive yet exciting and successful years as part of the Italian brand.

“It was an intense experience which will remain an unforgettable memory,” said Del Torchio. “I leave Ducati in the knowledge that I have helped to place the company on a path of growth and strength.”

Domenicali has been a part of Ducati’s structure for over two decades, joining as project leader in 1991 before progressing through a range of positions to managing director in 1999.

In 2005 he took over the position of research and development director and was appointed the brand’s general manager operations and product development in 2009.