Ducati crank feed oil seal

Having a chat with a mate that race's Ducatis in the desmo due championship
He was telling me he stripped his motor to find the crank seal fitted the wrong way or so he thought!
On checking the manual it was correct IE the opposite way to a Norton twin or triumph twin
Although some advice from the Ducati dealers said it didn't matter which way round you fit it!
And the later models had the seal facing the other way
So he tried it with an oil pressure gauge with the seal fitted either way the oil pressure was the same
The oil pressure release valve worked the same!
He was very surprised by this, expecting the skirt of the seal to open and pressure to be lost!!

Is it a belt cam drive engine?

Yep it's a cam belt drive
But the way the big ends are fed with oil is the same as a Norton commando

Yes,vertical split cases with roller mains and outrigger bearings .In my opinion same a a Triumph, Lol.
I have a 96 900 Monster, the SOHC belt engine is reliable and not scarey to work on ...

My ‘07 ST3s .... obviously a 3 valve 992cc is also not scary to work on , however , have not opened up engine just regular maintenance so far @ 70,000kms ..... nice engine character plus comfortable ride with great brakes etc. .... surprised they got away from these simple machines , I’d buy a new one at first opportunity .... not interested in all the newer high tech. , other than the ABS and FI of course ....