V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy: the sporting format for tomorrow’s talents

The union of the Ducati and Garage51 teams has given rise to the V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy, a project created with the mission of discovering young motorcycling talents and helping them grow through a single-brand trophy that features a multidisciplinary training programme that is unique in the world of racing.

Garage51, which can count on ten-time Italian champion Michele Pirro as the project's technical reference point, brings to the project its experience as promoter of the V4 Elite Cup and in providing technical support to riders and enthusiasts. Added to this is the experience gained by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer through 23 years of Ducati Riding Experience programmes, in which it has developed specific know-how in training on specific topics related to track riding, thanks in part to a team of world-class instructors.

Young riders will find in the V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy a team that will help them grow both in riding technique and in the management of their competitive activities. The V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy, which will see 30 Panigale V2s on the track, is not just a single-brand trophy, but a formula created with the aim of finding and nurturing young riders (divided into the 16-21 and Over 21 categories), supporting them in their sporting careers thanks to a training programme that includes classroom lessons, pre-season testing and a race calendar consisting of national and international events in prestigious contexts.

Thanks to professional technicians in the garage, young riders will be able to express their full potential, becoming faster, physically fitter, more experienced and skilled in tuning. The talented riders will be supported by highly experienced riders, such as Ducati MotoGP official test rider and ten-time Italian champion Michele Pirro, and three-time Italian Supersport champion and new CIV-Production Bike champion Davide Stirpe. They will be joined by physical training specialists and managers with extensive experience in the world of racing, who will also train them in communication with sponsors, teams and organisations to prepare them for a full professional career.

At the end of the championship, the riders who show the most potential, based on their results and the instructors' assessment, will take part in a test organised by Ducati on higher-level competition bikes to help them make the best choice for the next steps in their careers.

The Calendar

The series envisages participation in seven race weekends, with a calendar that includes several rounds of the CIV Italian ​​Championship and international events such as the Italian rounds of the WorldSBK Championship, the JuniorGP race at Barcelona, ​​and a dedicated race during World Ducati Week 2026.

• Round 1 – April 24-26: Misano (CIV)
• Round 2 – May 8-10: Mugello (CIV)
• Round 3 – May 22-24: Barcelona (Junior GP)
• Round 4 – June 12-14: Misano (WorldSBK)
• Round 5 – July 3-5: Misano (World Ducati Week 2026)
• Round 6 – July 24-26: Misano (CIV)
• Round 7 – September 17-19: Cremona (WSBK)

This programme guarantees the quality of the circuits and the organisation of the races, giving young drivers the opportunity to gain experience on the tracks where they will race later in their careers, while also offering prestigious and high-profile events where participants can show off their skills in front of spectators and industry professionals.

The races are only part of the Academy formula. In addition to the seven championship rounds, there are five official tests, spread throughout the season, organised at selected circuits and coordinated by Academy staff. During these events and races, riders will follow a training programme run by qualified instructors, who will help them develop not only their riding technique but also their communication skills with sponsors, teams, organisers and all the key figures they may encounter during their competitive activities, preparing them for a full professional career.

The added value of the Academy is also represented by constant technical support on the track, with Ducati staff present in the pits to manage the bikes and set-up, as well as a dedicated spare parts service. The riders will have access to a reserved area in the Future Champ Academy Village, with shared and coordinated logistics.

Costs and Participation

The complete participation package has an approximate cost of €49,500.00 + VAT, divided into seven instalments of €7,071.43 + VAT, to be paid in advance before each event.

The registration fee includes:

• Entry for official races and tests (including federal and organizational fees)
• Technical supervision on the track by Ducati Academy staff, with a constant presence in the garages and technical support for the correct management of the bikes and set-up
• Spare parts service on the track with immediate availability of original Ducati and Racing components (for a fee, if needed) for participation and routine maintenance during race weekends
• Reserved space within the Ducati Academy Village, in a dedicated area with shared garage and coordinated logistics.
• Consumables (fuel, tyres, brake pads, engine oil, clutches) in a defined quantity.

A maximum of five riders per event will also be able to participate in a single race as Wild Cards.

In addition to the registration fee, participants must purchase a Ducati Panigale V2 S Model Year 2025 or later, on which those enrolled in the V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy will receive a 15% discount on the list price. The bike will be fitted with the official preparation kit, supplied by Garage 51 Misano, at a cost of €10,000.00 + VAT.

The kit includes:

• Suspension set-up, with spring adjustment based on the rider's weight and skill level
• Racing exhaust system
• Adjustable racing footpegs and handlebars
• Racing fuel tank cap
• CNC-machined triple clamp and levers
• ABS elimination kit
• Final gearing kit (two front and two rear sprockets)
• Racing fairing kit painted with official team graphics, complete with identification stickers

Optional motorcycle management equipment is also available, recommended for safety and performance, valued at €7,500.00 + VAT. This equipment includes a pair of wheels complete with brake discs for mounting rain tyres, front and rear stands, tyre warmers, a rack trolley with an integrated generator to power the tyre warmers, and supporting hardware.

The prize money for the Future Champ Academy is currently being finalised.

All information about the V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy is available on the dedicated page.