Ducati, in collaboration with Michele Pirro and Garage 51, announces the preview launch of the “V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy – Become the Next One,” the racing academy that opens the doors to professionalism for young riders under and over 21.

This initiative will kick off in 2026 and is designed to create a Ducati talent pool of future stars of national and international motorcycle racing. Participants will be offered the opportunity to embark on a professional journey from the early stages of their careers thanks to a programme that values ​​merit, commitment, and passion, always under the spotlight of the Bologna-based manufacturer.

The young riders will compete aboard the Panigale V2, Ducati’s new-generation twin-cylinder sports bike. The project will form part of the Italian ​​Championship (CIV), World Ducati Week 2026, and the World Superbike circuit*, with a format that includes pre-season testing, qualifying, and a double race for each round. This intense and formative programme will allow them to race and hone their skills on one of the most prestigious stages in Italian and international motorsport.

Francesco Milicia, VP Global Sales and After Sales Ducati: “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, a strongly desired project designed to guide new talents from passion to professionalism, offering them all the tools they need to become protagonists in the motorcycle racing world of the future. The format was created for those who want to take a challenge and improve, relying on the support of an excellence like Ducati, which has made racing its essence. The key to this journey is Michele, whose commitment to the development of the Desmosedici GP has contributed significantly to Ducati’s current results. I would like to thank him not only as a professional but also as a friend: with his experience, technical expertise, and enthusiasm, he will certainly be an inspiration to our young riders.”

Technical guidance for the participants will be provided by Michele Pirro, Official Ducati MotoGP Test Rider. His unique wealth of expertise and sporting experience makes him a point of reference for the new generations, with whom he will share the passion, method, and professionalism that have characterized his career.

Michele Pirro, Official Ducati MotoGP Test Rider: “Experience holds great value, and at Ducati I have had the opportunity to experience excellence firsthand, working alongside extraordinary people. It’s this wealth that I now want to pass on to young riders through the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy. In this championship, everyone will race with the same bikes and in the same technical conditions; the only things that will make the difference are talent, commitment, and the ability to improve. Technical parity ensures a meritocratic environment, where those who emerge do so thanks to their qualities and the work they do with the team. This Academy is a concrete opportunity for growth and the chance to earn a place in the higher categories. It’s the culmination of my experience, with the desire to pass on the wealth of experience gained throughout my career to the new generations. My goal is to ensure that Ducati’s next world champions come from the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy.”

Full details of the project will be revealed at EICMA 2025. To stay up to date on the Academy, visit the dedicated page futurechamp.it

*The calendar is still being finalized and may be subject to change until the final announcement is made.

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“V2 Future Champ – Become the Next One”

Ducati, in collaboration with Michele Pirro and Garage 51, announces the preview launch of “V2 Future Champ Ducati – Become the Next One,” a sports academy that opens the doors to professionalism for young riders between the ages of 16 and 28. discover more