Ducati V2 Future Champ Academy Begins in 2026

October 7, 2025 editor 2 min read

Ducati will start a new riding academy in 2026, called Ducati V2 Future Champ Academy. It is aimed at getting young riders into racing, for both domestic and international talents.

Stating the obvious, the programme is designed to allow young racers the chance to ride the brand’s Panigale V2 motorcycle, as well as creating a talent pool for the future.

The new racing academy will kick off in 2026, with the project set to form part of the Italian Championship (CIV), World Ducati Week 2026, and the World Superbike paddock. The format will include traditional sessions like pre-season testing, qualifying, and a double race for each round.

Garage51 is a platform that allows young riders to learn about motorcycles and racing, and is run by Michele Pirro, Ducati’s official test rider. Pirro will offer riders from the new Ducati V2 academy technical guidance, with further details about the project to be revealed at next month’s EICMA show, in Milan.

Francesco Milicia, VP Global Sales and After Sales Ducati, said: “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.”