Ducati and Garage 51 present the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy

Set to debut in 2026, the academy offers a professional pathway for young riders on the Panigale V2, blending Ducati’s racing DNA with mentorship from MotoGP veteran Michele Pirro.

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Ducati, together with Garage 51 and legendary MotoGP test rider Michele Pirro, has officially announced the preview launch of the “V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy – Become the Next One,” a bold new initiative aimed at scouting and developing the motorcycle racing champions of tomorrow.

Scheduled to kick off in 2026, the racing academy targets talented riders both under and over the age of 21, offering a professional-grade training and competition platform to cultivate Ducati’s next generation of national and international stars.

The programme will center around the Panigale V2, Ducati’s cutting-edge twin-cylinder sports bike, and will feature an intense racing format that includes pre-season testing, qualifying sessions, and double races at each round. The academy will be fully integrated into top-tier racing events including the Italian Championship (CIV), World Ducati Week 2026, and select rounds of the World Superbike circuit.

Francesco Milicia, VP Global Sales and After Sales Ducati, emphasized Ducati’s long-standing commitment to motorsport: “Ducati’s history is deeply intertwined with the world of racing, and investing in young riders means building tomorrow’s champions today. This is why we are very proud to launch the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy… offering them all the tools they need to become protagonists in the motorcycle racing world of the future.”

The backbone of the academy’s technical and professional development will be Michele Pirro, Ducati’s Official MotoGP Test Rider. His role will be pivotal, offering riders direct access to a career’s worth of racing knowledge, strategy, and Ducati-centric training methodologies.

Michele Pirro shared his vision for the project: “In this championship, everyone will race with the same bikes and under the same technical conditions; the only things that will make the difference are talent, commitment, and the ability to improve. This Academy is a concrete opportunity for growth and the chance to earn a place in the higher categories.”

With a focus on meritocracy, equality in machinery, and high-level mentorship, the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy marks a significant investment in grassroots motorsport by Ducati. Riders will not only develop their technical abilities and racecraft but also receive exposure under the Ducati spotlight—an unprecedented opportunity to join the elite racing ranks of one of the most prestigious manufacturers in the sport.