Two seemingly distant worlds, yet bound by a common force: speed. The same impulse that propels two-wheeled rockets toward the horizon also drives runners’ legs toward their next personal best. This is the shared philosophy explored by Diadora and Ducati during “Race the Gara,” a series of runs unlike any other, staged in the very heart of an Italian territory where speed long ago ceased to be merely a matter of timing. Here, it has become culture: an identity deeply rooted in the land known as the Motor Valley.

The dialogue between these two brands, each grounded in history yet resolutely future-facing, revolves around a single, decisive element: carbon. Often invisible, this material nonetheless possesses the power to reveal the profound kinship between two epicenters of Italian excellence: the Run Valley and the Motor Valley. A lighter motorcycle. A more responsive running shoe. Different shapes, distinct design languages, yet united by the same pursuit.

In modern motorsport, and within Ducati’s technological vision, carbon is an essential structural component. In Diadora’s performance-driven running universe, the same material becomes a plate, transforming into elastic return and control. More precisely, it forms the architectural backbone of the Gara Carbon 3: the running shoe unveiled for the occasion, a synthesis of research, performance, and shared knowledge.

Around this object, both avant-garde and almost sculptural, Diadora chose not to stage a simple product launch, but rather to craft a collective narrative. Together with Claudio Bora, CEO of Diadora, and Mauro Grassilli, Sports Director of Ducati, we explored the most meaningful layer of a vibrant conversation between parallel yet kindred worlds. What emerged was a vision of speed no longer fleeting or accidental, but the product of a careful equilibrium between cutting-edge data and human expertise. A speed shaped by proximity: between districts and disciplines, craftsmanship and innovation, people and passions.

Speed as Culture. At Athleta Magazine, sport is understood as culture. How would you describe the philosophy of the brands you represent through this cultural lens?

Claudio Bora – CEO, Diadora: “Diadora’s recent journey has been, first and foremost, deeply emotional. We had to change dramatically, to rebuild from the ground up. The most complex, yet also the most beautiful, aspect was the cultural shift. When you speak about culture, you cannot limit yourself to simply producing things; you must work on the entire culture of the company. It’s about making an organization be something, not merely do something. That means investing in machinery and resources, of course, but above all it means changing mentalities. And that, in my view, is where the most fascinating and difficult transition occurred. The district we belong to helped immensely. Being part of the Run Valley means having access to knowledge, information, and expertise; it means attracting talented people who can help you regain momentum. The challenge now is to ensure longevity, to keep this transformation alive. What I’m most proud of is the ecosystem we’ve created. An ecosystem made of people. Sometimes I describe it as a giant aquarium filled with individuals. If you want real cultural change, communication alone is not enough: you must build it, embody it, nurture it every day. I think back to our first technological innovations: they took three years. Endless tests, attempts… entire evenings spent with Gelindo Bordin (Olympic marathon champion in Seoul 1988 and now Diadora’s Sport & Marketing Director) debating every detail. That approach simply isn’t replicable in today’s running industry, where timelines and demands are very different. So we created a system, an ecosystem, to keep innovation flowing continuously. It’s extraordinary, because you feel as though you’re shaping something alive. But it’s also an enormous responsibility.”

Mauro Grassilli – Sports Director, Ducati: “I’ve been at Ducati since 2003. I started as an intern and have witnessed many different eras of Ducati Corse. I saw the moment we entered MotoGP, the podiums and world titles, but also the difficult periods when results didn’t match Ducati’s reputation. Then, around 2013–2014, with the arrival of Gigi Dall’Igna, there was a real rebirth. That rebirth was tied to the search for technologies that simply didn’t exist in MotoGP at the time. The only way we could beat our competitors was by bringing something to the track they hadn’t yet imagined. Thanks to the ingenuity of our engineers, we developed the famous aerodynamic wings, the well-known ‘spoon’ on the swingarm, and a whole range of innovations that allowed us to return to winning. At the same time, we sought partners, not just sponsors, companies capable of growing with us technically and operationally. That vision aligned perfectly with Diadora. We sought each other out, spent time together, nurtured the relationship, and ultimately built what you see today. Our synergy was born from a real need, and it continues to thrive because it is rooted in our respective cultures.”

Science, Instinct, and the Human Factor. During the presentation of your partnership, and of the Gara Carbon 3, there was much discussion about technology and science, but also about instinct and emotion. How does this balance live within your organizations?

Claudio Bora – CEO, Diadora: “There has always been, and will always be, deep mutual respect between Diadora and Ducati. That respect stems from the human dimension: people who are passionate, knowledgeable, and relentlessly striving for excellence. In both our worlds, if everything could be solved by pressing a button in a research lab, it would almost be too easy. Take carbon plates. If building a fast shoe simply meant buying two kilos of carbon at the supermarket and installing it, anyone could do it. But that’s not the case. The human factor lies in how you interpret the material. For Ducati, shaping a carbon fairing, defining the precise angle, profile, or dimension of a wing, requires enormous human effort: sensitivity, experience, intuition. The same is true for us. When we worked on our carbon plate, we truly struggled to understand it. It wasn’t just about the material: it was about everything surrounding it. That’s why we sought inspiration from those who knew more than we did, gathering information and building relationships. Because a single millimeter can make an enormous difference. The same goes for a motorcycle: half a degree forward or backward can completely transform how it behaves. Of course there is immense research and technology involved, but there is also a vast human dimension: something you simply cannot replace.”

Mauro Grassilli – Sports Director, Ducati: “By regulation we can homologate only two fairings per season. Riders can’t test them freely beforehand: they essentially try them when race time arrives. Sometimes the differences compared to the previous fairing are almost invisible, but riders feel everything. We might spend months developing a solution that ultimately isn’t chosen because of a rider’s perception. Carbon is everywhere in Ducati’s world: not only in the structural parts of the bike but also in critical components like brake discs or engine elements. It’s a material that connects science and human sensitivity.”

Claudio Bora – CEO, Diadora: “The human element appears in a very similar way in our work. Mauro spoke about a rider’s sensations: technically a fairing may function perfectly, but if it doesn’t work for that specific rider, it isn’t the right solution. The same applies to the foot inside a shoe. My foot is different from yours; each runner moves differently. That’s why we created the ‘Cento Passi’ project at our headquarters: to deliver highly personalized service to athletes while remaining agile in the customization process. Sometimes the carbon plate is identical, but the midsole must be adjusted slightly: hollowed here, reinforced there. Humanity lies in understanding how things work and adapting them for the individual. Today’s laboratories are smaller but incredibly advanced. What once took three months can now be achieved in thirty minutes, and with better results. Yet the result still depends on people. Honestly, I don’t believe the narratives around artificial intelligence that suggest humans will become secondary. The human factor remains fundamentally irreplaceable.”

Mauro Grassilli – Sports Director, Ducati: “Ducati Corse is made up of around two hundred people. And I call it a team, not a group. A group is simply a collection of individuals; a team is a collection of individuals moving in the same direction. They might not always agree, but the direction is shared. And to move together you need enormous passion. We spend around two hundred days a year away from home. Without passion, it would be impossible. Some of us have been doing this for twenty years. I can say from experience that without passion, respect, and team spirit, you simply go nowhere.”

Technology as Art. At Athleta, sport is also viewed through an artistic lens. When you look at a shoe like the Gara Carbon 3 or a bike like the Desmosedici, do you see artistic objects, or purely functional ones?

Claudio Bora – CEO, Diadora: “For me, a Ducati is something you’d want to keep in your bedroom. I’m fascinated by it. More broadly, I believe high technology is art. Racing bikes, running shoes, motorcycles: they are undeniably works of art. Just think of the hours, the sweat, the passion behind them. Some people might see things differently, but for me these are unquestionably artistic creations.”

Mauro Grassilli – Sports Director, Ducati: “I would call it Art 3.0. Through these objects, and the speed they unleash, they generate emotions. A motorcycle is beautiful to look at. I have several at home, in my garage, and every day I go and greet them. Riding one gives you something nothing else in the world can replicate. Motorcycles are also part of my free time. And the same goes for shoes. Beyond the aesthetic dimension, it’s not easy to find footwear that immediately feels right when you put it on. With Diadora as Ducati’s partner, we’ve achieved that: and remember, we spend entire days and weekends standing.”

Proximity and Speed. Earlier you emphasized two key concepts: proximity and speed. What can you share about them?

Claudio Bora – CEO, Diadora: “Proximity is fundamental. Industrial districts cannot survive forever in isolation. One of the most important steps we must take is ensuring these ecosystems continue to feed themselves. Sharing has enormous power: it allows materials, knowledge, and inspiration to circulate continuously. Many industrial districts today are struggling; some are dying. And they will die even faster if individual companies become too inward-looking. For Diadora, the Montebelluna district has been an immense asset. We are committed to keeping it alive and self-sustaining. As for speed: of course the goal is always to create the fastest shoe possible. But from the beginning, together with Gelindo Bordin, we agreed that speed alone cannot define a shoe. Think about motorcycles: it’s not simply about building the fastest one. The same applies to running shoes. Speed must coexist with many other factors. The objective is to reach a level of speed that remains manageable: where safety is preserved and balance achieved. At Diadora, even our fastest carbon-plated shoes are stable. And that stability allows you to truly feel speed, rather than be overwhelmed by it.”

Mauro Grassilli – Sports Director, Ducati: “For us, speed is everything. It means arriving before the competition technologically and athletically, and reacting quickly after defeat. We operate in an extremely competitive environment. We recently returned from Thailand, arrived home Monday night, and by Tuesday morning we were already in meetings analyzing a performance that hadn’t met expectations. In that sense, speed becomes reactivity: the ability to respond quickly in difficult moments. It’s one of the key factors in achieving results. As for proximity, the Motor Valley district is fundamental for us. Each company builds something different: motorcycles, cars… But we share a common cultural base. We speak the same language from a very young age. Motor culture is alive here. You breathe it in the air. Leaders from different companies often meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate. There’s a real desire to create, to stay connected. And that unity makes a tremendous difference for the future.”