Valentino Rossi is easily recognized as a MotoGP figure in the world and he is using his influence to help the next generation of Italian motorcycle racing through the VR46 Riders Academy.
The VR46 Riders Academy is a professional development program for motorcycle racing, founded by a nine-time Grand Prix World Champion. Valentino Rossi.
The Academy began as a passion project for Doc, designed to revitalize the Italian motorcycle racing landscape by providing training, support and comprehensive management skills.
Using Rossi’s personal VR46 engine farm and structured coaching system, he has successfully seen many riders graduate to the premier class, including several world champions.
When did Valentino Rossi create the VR46 Riders Academy?
The VR46 Riders Academy was established in 2013 and the company’s headquarters officially opened the following year in Rossi’s hometown of Tavlia.
However, Rossi’s mentoring concept began long ago with his close friend Marco Simoncelli.
The devastation felt by Rossi following the young Italian’s death at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix is ​​what led him to officially venture out and take many young Italian talents under his wing.
The Academy’s mission is to ensure that his and Simoncelli’s legacies live on beyond their racing years and into their successors in MotoGP.
Who was the first rider to join Valentino Rossi’s academy?
Rossi sees Simoncelli as the first member of the academy as they started training together in 2006. Franco Morbidelli He is known to be the first official member of the program.
The current VR46 Racing Team rider was promoted to the Moto2 World Championship in 2015. Joined in 2013.
Morbidelli had already trained with Rossi, and was the first piece of the puzzle to make the doctor’s dream come true.
Which VR46 Riders Academy graduates have competed in MotoGP?
There have been a total of 16 riders associated with the VR46 Riders Academy at one time or another, five of whom have gone on to compete in the premier class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
They include the two-time MotoGP world champion Francesco BagnaiaRossi’s mother’s half-brother Luca MariniVR46 Racing Franco Morbidelli and Marco Bezecchi.
Nicolo opens. He was a former member of the academy, but left in late 2019 after officially parting ways with Rossi’s management.
The current roster of young riders includes Celestino Vetti, Matteo Gabarini (son of Bagnaia Ducati team leader, Christian Gabarini) and recent signing Lorenzo Pretelli.
Which VR46 Riders Academy members are currently competing in MotoGP?
Current members of the VR46 Riders Academy competing in MotoGP are:
- Francesco Bagnaia
- Luca Marini
- Franco Morbidelli
- Marco Bezecchi
In the year At the end of the 2025 season, the VR46 Riders Academy boasts a total of 40 wins, 39 pole positions and 87 podiums in the premier class, with Bagnaya serving as its most successful graduate.
