Forget the standard textbooks; if you want to understand the VR46 Riders Academy, you have to think of it as a cross between a high-tech gladiator school and the coolest summer camp in Italy.
Founded in 2013 by the man, the myth, the legend—Valentino Rossi—this is notjust a training program; it’s a mission to keep the Italian flag flying at 350 km/h.
The Origin Story: Forged in Friendship
The Academy did not start with a business plan; it started with a tragedy. Rossi began training with his protégé and best friend Marco Simoncelli back in 2006. After Simoncelli’s heartbreaking passing in 2011, “The Doctor” decided to turn his private mentorship into a formal legacy.
The goal? Take the best Italian kids, put them through the “Rossi Meat Grinder,” and turn them into World Champions.
The Secret Sauce: The VR46 Motor Ranch
Located in Rossi’s hometown of Tavullia, the Motor Ranch is the Academy’s spiritual heart.1
- The Track: A 1.8-mile dirt track masterpiece full of elevation changes and sliding corners.2
- The Training: If you can’t slide a bike sideways on dirt at 80 mph, Rossi doesn’t want to hear it. It’s all about throttle control and “feeling” the bike.
- The After-Party: Every Saturday training session ends with a massive Italian barbecue (grigliata).3 Because you can’t win titles on an empty stomach.
The Hall of Fame: Graduates by the Numbers
As of the start of 2026, the Academy has become a literal factory for trophies. Here is how the “Rossi Boys” have conquered the MotoGP world:
| Rider | Major Academy Achievements |
| Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia | The Crown Jewel. 2x MotoGP World Champion (2022, 2023) and 2018 Moto2 Champ. |
| Franco Morbidelli | The Pioneer. The first official member and the 2017 Moto2 World Champion. |
| Marco Bezzecchi | The Wild Card. A multi-race winner who finished 3rd in the 2023 World Championship. |
| Luca Marini | The Brother. Rossi’s half-brother and a tactical genius now leading the charge at HRC Honda. |
Academy Stats (End of 2025 Season): > * MotoGP Wins: 40
Podiums: 87
World Titles: 3 (Bagnaia x2, Morbidelli x1 in Moto2)
The Class of 2026: Who’s Still in School?
The Academy is notoriously picky. They don’t just take anyone with a fast bike; you have to fit the “vibe.” The current heavy hitters include:
- The MotoGP Veterans: Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Morbidelli, and Marini.
- The Rising Stars: Celestino Vietti (Moto2), Matteo Gabarrini (the son of Pecco’s legendary crew chief), and the new kid on the block, Lorenzo Pritelli.
Did You Know?
The Academy actually provides everything for the riders—gyms, legal advice, tax help, and English lessons—so all the riders have to do is focus on twisting the throttle. In return, they pay a small percentage of their earnings back into the Academy once they “make it,” ensuring the next generation of Italian speedsters is funded.
Buckle up, because the 2026 season is already looking like a spicy Italian drama! As we roll into January, the bikes are still in their crates, but the paddock is buzzing with enough gossip to power a Ducati.
Here is the “state of the union” for the Academy boys as they head into the 2026 championship:
MotoGP: The Heavyweights
The 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster for the Rossi camp. While the Academy boasts 40 premier class wins, 2025 saw Marc Marquez (the old rival!) snagging the World Title.
- Pecco Bagnaia (#1/63): After a “torrid” 2025 where he finished 5th overall, Pecco is on a revenge tour. He’s back with the Factory Ducati Lenovo team alongside Marc Marquez. It’s the ultimate “teammates who might accidentally bump each other off the track” situation. Pecco has been vocal about the GP26 bike, hoping for more front-end confidence to reclaim his throne.
- The VR46 Team Shift: The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team is rocking a brand-new livery (revealing it mid-January!). Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio are confirmed as the 2026 duo. Morbidelli is looking to bounce back after a winless 2025.
- Marco Bezzecchi: “Bez” has officially moved to the Aprilia Factory Team to ride alongside Jorge Martin. Seeing an Academy boy on an Aprilia is going to be a wild sight!
Moto2: The “Next Big Things”
If MotoGP is the main stage, Moto2 is the mosh pit where the next Rossi-clones are fighting for a seat.
- Celestino Vietti: The veteran of the junior group. After a strong 7th place finish in 2025 (including a massive home win at Misano), Vietti is moving to Speed Up Racing for 2026. He’ll be on the Boscoscuro chassis, which was the “cheat code” bike of last year. This is his “make or break” year for a MotoGP promotion.
- The Rookies (Matteo Gabarrini & Lorenzo Pritelli): These two are the babies of the family. They spent 2025 tearing it up in the European Talent Cup.
- Gabarrini (son of Pecco’s crew chief) already grabbed a pole position at Magny-Cours.
- Pritelli set the fastest lap at Misano last year.
- They are currently the Academy’s “secret weapons” being groomed for the world stage.
Mark Your Calendars!
The 2026 Season Opener kicks off on March 1st in Thailand at the Buriram circuit.
Hot Take: 2026 is officially the year of the “Italian Rebound.” With Bagnaia hunting Marquez and Vietti hunting the Moto2 title, the VR46 ranch is going to be a very busy place this winter.
Done! I’ve locked in the dates and gathered the intel. If you’re a VR46 fan, 2026 is basically the “Season of Redemption.”
Here is your official VR46 Academy & MotoGP 2026 Survival Guide.
The Big Reveal: VR46 Livery Launch
Mark your calendar for January 14, 2026.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is heading to Rome for a massive launch event at the stunning Villa Miani.
- The Vibe: They’ve teased a “New Black and Light” look—expect a lot of Valentino’s signature neon yellow mixed with deep blacks.
- The Riders: Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Diggia) are officially staying put for 2026. After a rocky 2025 where they faced some heat from Ducati bosses for “up-and-down” results, they are hungry to prove the Academy still rules the satellite ranks.
The 2026 MotoGP Race Calendar
The season is a global marathon with 22 races, starting earlier than usual to accommodate some new (and returning) tracks.
| Round | Date | Grand Prix | Location |
| 1 | March 1 | Thailand GP | Buriram (Season Opener!) |
| 2 | March 22 | Brazil GP | Goiânia (New for 2026!) |
| 3 | March 29 | Americas GP | COTA, USA |
| 8 | May 31 | Italian GP | Mugello (The Academy Home Race) |
| 11 | June 28 | Dutch TT | Assen |
| 15 | Sept 13 | San Marino GP | Misano (Rossi’s Backyard) |
| 22 | Nov 22 | Valencia GP | Ricardo Tormo (The Finale) |
The 2026 “Academy Heat” Report
The dynamics have shifted massively this year. Here’s what to watch:
- Pecco Bagnaia’s Revenge: After a “nightmare” 2025 where he slid to 5th in the standings and struggled to gel with the GP25, Pecco is on a warpath. He’s still in the Factory Ducati box, but he’s now staring across the garage at the 2025 World Champion… Marc Marquez. It is the most intense teammate rivalry in history.
- Bezzecchi’s New Colors: For the first time, Marco Bezzecchi isn’t on a Ducati. He’s officially moved to Aprilia Factory Racing alongside Jorge Martin. Watching “Bez” adapt his wild style to the RS-GP will be the biggest storyline of the spring.
- The Rookie Watch: In the lower classes, keep an eye on Lorenzo Pritelli. He was officially inducted into the Academy in late 2025 and is being fast-tracked as the next “Doctor-approved” superstar.
Source
Official Academy Hub: VR46 Riders Academy Official Website
The Race Team: Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Official
The Merchandise (The Doctor’s Shop): Official VR46 Store
MotoGP Official Profile: Valentino Rossi’s Legend Profile
Live Updates & Stats: Official MotoGP News & Standings
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