- Lenovo supports the development of the next generation of Ducati racing talent through the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI
- Lenovo’s technology will support the academy in enhancing the riders’ physical preparation, technical understanding and data analysis capabilities
- The next race, in its inaugural year, takes place in Misano during World Ducati Week which will be the first opportunity to see the new partnership in practice
July 2, 2026 – Today, ahead of World Ducati Week 2026 (3-5 July, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli), Lenovo, Ducati, and Garage 51 announce a multi-year partnership that will see the global technology powerhouse become Title Partner of the ‘Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI’ – a newly created championship dedicated to developing young riders.
The Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI is a single-brand trophy born from the collaboration between Ducati, Michele Pirro, and Garage 51, with the mission of discovering the next generation of racing stars – both under and over 21 years of age – and creating a pool of Ducati talent. Competing in six rounds and three official tests, riders will follow a training program focused on their riding skills, personal growth and communications competencies, developing all the skills and experience required to one day compete professionally.
Lenovo’s technology will support the academy in developing the riders’ physical preparation, technical understanding and data analysis capabilities. Through a bespoke riders’ visual data dashboard, tomorrow’s racing talent will be able to track their individual performance through lap-time trends, performance stability, and sector-performance mapping, enabling them to access insights normally only available to professional riders.
“We are delighted to welcome our longstanding partner, Lenovo, to this new venture. Our well established relationship is much more than a sponsorship; it is a true collaboration reflecting a shared vision and commitment,” commented Francesco Milicia, VP Global Sales and After Sales Ducati. “Just as Lenovo’s cutting-edge technology enables Ducati engineers to refine bike set-ups and drive innovation for the Ducati Lenovo Team in MotoGP, together we will provide aspiring riders with advanced data analysis tools and insights which will be priceless in their development.”
“This new partnership brings together Lenovo’s strong commitment to developing the next generation of talent and our long-standing role in driving innovation in motorsports. This is particularly significant as it allows us to invest in the future of the sport, helping young riders develop the technical, physical and personal skills that will benefit them throughout their careers and beyond,” commented Lara Rodini, Global Sponsorships and Activation Director at Lenovo. “Together with Ducati and Garage 51, we are united by passion, a commitment to performance and innovation, and a shared desire to nurture young talent, driving excellence both on and off the track.”
“Knowing that Lenovo has chosen to support the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI as Title Sponsor is a source of great pride and satisfaction. This partnership is a tangible confirmation of the value and credibility of a project created with the aim of identifying, developing and guiding the motorcycle racing talents of tomorrow through a structured and professional growth pathway,” commented Michele Pirro, Ambassador, Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI. “We are building an innovative programme that places the athlete’s overall development at its core, through the monitoring of physical and sporting performance before, during and after on-track activities, with the objective of providing practical tools to improve preparation, awareness and performance. Technology is now a fundamental element in the development of a modern rider, and being able to rely on Lenovo’s expertise and know-how will allow us to offer our young riders an even more advanced training experience.”
As one of the world’s largest providers of computing devices to the educational sector, Lenovo is deeply committed to developing future talent and advancing STEM learning, through a range of global initiatives and partnerships like the Lenovo Kalì Kart Team and STEM Racing.
The upcoming round, taking place in Misano this week, on July 3-5, will be the first opportunity to see the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI taking to the track under its new name and branding, as the program enters an exciting new chapter, reflecting Lenovo’s ongoing commitment to deepening its presence in motorsports and building on the success of its collaboration with Ducati.
About Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. – A Sole Shareholder Company – A Company subject to the Management and Coordination activities of AUDI AG
Powerful engines, distinctive design, innovative technologies and a lot of passion: this is the credo according to which Ducati, founded in 1926, still works today in the development and manufacturing of its world-famous motorcycles. In its factory in Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), Ducati crafts the dream of every Ducatista giving life to motorcycles that are the purest expression of refined engineering with a constant attention to the highest standards of quality. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer has racing in its DNA and competes with official teams in the MotoGP and WorldSBK Championships, where it tackles every race determined to continuously improve its performance and share the emotions of the sport with its community. 2025 was an extraordinary year for Ducati, which became MotoGP World Champion for the fourth year in a row, with five Grands Prix still to go, also winning the sixth consecutive Constructors’ Title and the Team Title. In WorldSBK, the Company confirmed its status as the most successful manufacturer in the championship for production-based motorcycles, winning the twenty-first Constructors’ Title in its history. In 2026, Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary. One hundred years of history, along with sporting successes, technological excellence and Made in Italy design that define each of its motorcycles, make Ducati one of a kind in the world of two wheels. Driven by passion, racing spirit and a strong bond with its community, Ducati is present in over 90 countries worldwide.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a US$83 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Guided by its vision of “Smarter Technology for All”, Lenovo is executing a Hybrid AI strategy that spans Personal AI – one personal AI, multiple devices; and Enterprise AI – helping customers turn data into insights and value. This strategy is delivered through the Group’s commitment to world-class innovation and a full-stack AI portfolio, including devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets, accessories), infrastructure solutions (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), as well as software, solutions, and services. With a global footprint spanning more than 20 research and development locations and a global supply chain that includes more than 30 manufacturing sites across 10 markets, Lenovo is widely recognized for its operational excellence. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). Learn more at www.lenovo.com and follow the latest news in our newsroom.
About Garage 51
Garage 51 is the gateway to the world of Ducati and motorsport. Located in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, within the MWC Square at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, it is an integrated hub bringing together a specialized workshop, Ducati Store, track experiences, events, and services for those who want to experience their passion for two wheels in an authentic and complete way. Today, Garage 51 is a platform where training, racing experiences, competition, academy programs, communication, and networking create an environment in which passion, expertise, and opportunities come together. From this vision emerge projects such as the Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | Ducati and the Ducati V4 Elite Cup—distinct yet complementary pathways that help develop new talent and write new chapters in the world of motorcycle racing.
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founder of Total Motorcycle, the world’s largest motorcycle information site, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of experience in motorcycles, gear and rider culture, he has built a global community dedicated to empowering and inspiring motorcyclists.
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