The VR46 Riders Academy has been essential in preparing young Italian riders, taking care of various aspects of their careers, and providing extensive training and education. Francesco Bagnaia, who is already a two-time MotoGP champion, was one of the students in Valentino Rossi’s project, along with several others who are currently in the premier class.
When asked if it’s also possible for Italian riders to succeed without going through the Academy, the Ducati rider began by saying: ‘I think that all the Italian riders that right now are in Moto2 or MotoGP were with us in mini bike. I remeber that [Nicolò] Bulega, Enea [Bastianini], [Fabio] DiGia, [Luca] Marini, we were all together in the pocket bikes. And I think it was a really great period with a lot of Italian riders growing and arriving to a great level’.
Having said that, Bagnaia believes that it’s not necessary for an Italian rider to go through the Academy to reach high levels: ‘But I also think it’s not just because we are in the Academy that we are at the top. I think also other situations can do great results – like Enea’s one. Nicolò wasn’t in the Academy and in the last three years I think he did a great step in front in terms of his attitude’.
The two-time MotoGP world champion also stated: ‘From my point of view our work is fantastic. Thanks to the Academy we have everything and we don’t have to think about anything. They’re doing a really good job: four titles in the championship and more than 170 podiums I think. So we can be proud of the Academy. But also other situations can do great results, like Enea, Bulega and DiGia’.