the single-brand cup that looks for the next Bulega

From time to time new single-brand cups emerge that seek to equalize conditions, so that the drivers are the ones who make the differences. That is the case of the V2 Ducati Future Champ Academy, the competition that the Italian manufacturer has just announced that will have the Ducati Panigale V2 as a motorcycle.

This is a training category for young drivers, which seeks to support them in their sporting careers with a training program that includes theoretical classes, pre-season tests, in addition to the competition itself.

To do this, they will rely on Michele Pirro, MotoGP test rider and ten-time Italian champion, as well as Davide Striple, triple Italian Supersport champion and current CIV Production Bike champion, to whom we must add physical trainers and managers who will be in charge of training the riders in communication with sponsors, teams and organizations.

Once the season ends, the riders with the greatest potential, after evaluation by instructors and their results, will take part in a test with higher level motorcycles, to best guide their sporting evolution.

In total there will be 30 Panigale V2s that will take part in each event, which will have permanent drivers and also a maximum of five guest drivers per race. All of them will face a calendar with seven rounds in which they will compete integrated in CIV, WSBK, Junior GP and, also, during WDW 2026.

But this entire training system in the form of a single-brand cup, in which in addition to the races five days of testing will also be carried out, has a price and it will not be exactly small.

According to Ducati’s current estimates, we are talking about 49,500 euros plus VAT to be paid in seven installments before each of the events. It does not include the motorcycle, which has to be purchased separately, nor the management of the motorcycles, which if you use Ducati increases by another 7,500 euros plus VAT.

Of course, with the registration fee of almost 50,000 euros you have access to participation in official races and tests with federation and organizational fees, on-track and pit supervision by Ducati Academy staff, spare parts service on the track (for a supplement if necessary), reserved space in the Ducati Academy Village with a shared garage and coordinated logistics and consumables (fuel, tires, brake pads, engine oil and clutches) in a defined quantity.

When purchasing the motorcycle it will come with a kit valued at 10,000 euros plus VAT that includes:

Suspension configuration, with spring adjustment based on rider weight and skill level
Racing exhaust system
Adjustable footrests and handlebars
Competition tank cap
CNC machined seatposts and levers
ABS removal kit
Final drive kit (two front sprockets and two rear sprockets)
Competition fairing painted with the team’s official colors and identification stickers