When only a Ducati could beat a Ducati.
The VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team celebrated a landmark result at Round 7 of the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship in Vasad, Hungary, as Ashton Boughen and Tim Neave delivered the first-ever Ducati one-two in the series.
In a thrilling final, Boughen produced a last-lap pass on his team-mate to claim his third victory of the season, with Neave finishing second after leading the majority of the race.
The result was particularly significant for Boughen, who had never previously raced at Vasad, and saw the 18-year-old take both victory and the fastest lap in the Final to score the maximum 26 points available from the meeting.
For Neave, second place further strengthened his position at the top of the World Championship standings with just three rounds remaining.
Ducati Duo Battle to the Finish
Both VRX Dirt Store Ducati riders were among the leading performers throughout the day.
Boughen immediately showed his pace by passing reigning World Champion Ervin Krajcovic in Heat 1, while Neave opened his qualifying campaign with second place behind Ondrej Svedik.
The Ducati riders went head-to-head for the first time in Heat 6, with Neave coming out on top. They met again in Heat 9, where Neave secured another victory while Boughen fought through from the back row to finish fifth.
Boughen then secured a front-row starting position for the Final with victory in Heat 10, while Neave’s Heat 12 win over Jack Bell ensured his closest championship rival would not start from the front row.
With Neave selecting grid position two and Boughen taking the inside starting position, the two Ducati riders lined up alongside each other for what would become one of the races of the season.
A Last-Lap Showdown
Krajcovic made the fastest start to the Final and initially led into the first corner, but Neave immediately found an effective inside line to take the lead, with Boughen following him past the defending champion.
From there, the Ducati pair broke clear of the field and produced a spectacular battle for victory.
Neave held a narrow advantage for much of the race, while Boughen explored every possible line in search of an opportunity.
That opportunity finally arrived on the last lap.
Boughen took the outside line on the back straight and moved past Neave, only for his team-mate to fight straight back on the inside and reclaim the lead through turns three and four.
But Boughen had anticipated the move.
The young rider immediately turned back and made his way past Neave once again, crossing the finish line just 0.166 seconds ahead to claim his third World Championship victory of the season.
“I’ve just got to keep pushing”
Afterwards, Boughen reflected on a race that required patience before delivering when it mattered most.
“I’m feeling excited, and I’m just pleased to show what I can do again.
I saved myself the whole time, not pushing too hard, and I knew I was the fastest out there and I showed it in that last one. I tried my hardest and pushed all the way.
It’s a very important result. I had a few not so good ones, but I still showed what I could do at Schessel. I won my first four heats but just didn’t get there in the Final, and the Final is what matters.
It’s my third win, and I’ve surprised myself. I’ve just got to keep pushing for that World Championship.”
Neave was equally determined after an enthralling battle with his team-mate.
“I had a lunge on the last corner but ran too wide and Ashton got back past me.”
Strong Championship Result for Both Riders
The Ducati one-two was also hugely significant in the World Championship battle.
Neave arrived in Hungary with a nine-point advantage over Jack Bell and leaves with his championship lead extended to 13 points.
Boughen’s victory moved him back into second place, level on 134 points with Bell.
The result means the World Championship title race is increasingly becoming a three-way battle between the two VRX Dirt Store Ducati riders and Bell, with just three rounds remaining.
The result also saw the Ducati duo benefit from the wider championship battle, with Tom Hunt taking third place ahead of Bell, while Krakcovic finished sixth and Gerard Bailo ninth.
Rob Painter: “You can never count Ashton out”
VRX Management Ltd Managing Director Rob Painter praised both riders following an exceptionally strong performance for the team.
“It was an exceptionally strong performance from both our riders today.
Tim rode at a very high level all day and looked like he was going to take the win right up until the very last lap, but you can never count Ashton out!
He had never been to Vasad before, but he took the win and the fastest lap in the Final to re-establish himself as P2 in the championship.
The first-ever Ducati one-two is a fantastic result for the whole VRX Dirt Store Ducati team and another demonstration of the level of performance we’re capable of producing.”
Ducati Extends Manufacturers’ Championship Lead
The result further strengthens Ducati’s position at the top of the Manufacturers’ Championship.
After seven rounds, Ducati sits on 163 points, 20 points clear of Triumph on 143, with KTM third on 134.
The one-two finish in Hungary adds another significant milestone to Ducati’s debut FIM Flat Track World Championship campaign and underlines the strength and consistency of the VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team.
Three Rounds to Go
With seven rounds complete, the championship battle is entering its decisive phase.
Tim Neave leads the Riders’ Championship on 147 points, with Aston Boughen and Jack Bell both on 134. Behind them, Gerard Bailo and Ervin Krajcovic sit on 117 points.
The final European round of the championship takes place at Pardubice in the Czech Republic on 3 October, before the season concludes with a double-header in Argentina on 24 and 25 October.
With two Ducati riders firmly in the title fight and Ducati leading the Manufacturers’ Championship, the VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team heads into the final three rounds with everything still to play for.
Steel Seal is proud to support Ashton Boughen and Tim Neave throughout the 2026 FIM Flat Track World Championship and congratulates the entire VRX Dirt Store Ducati Race Team on its historic first Ducati one-two.