VR46 Academy: Niccolo Antonelli returns as junior coach

What officially began in 2013 with Franco Morbidelli's move into Moto2 is now a permanent fixture in the paddock. Francesco Bagnaia, Morbidelli, Luca Marini, Marco Bezzecchi and Celestino Vietti are established names in the MotoGP and Moto2 line-up. The track record speaks for itself: Morbidelli and Bagnaia became world champions in Moto2, Bagnaia later became the first Academy rider to become MotoGP champion. Andrea Migno has largely ended his professional career, but still races occasionally and works as a riding coach and video analyst for the VR46 Racing team.

No new blood for a long time - the next generation is coming soon

It is more exciting to look at the younger generation, who are still too young to make the step up to the world championship. Matteo Gabbarini, Lorenzo Pritelli and Leonardo Casadei are set to follow in the footsteps of their great role models. "For me, the Academy is like joining a big family where I find support every day to improve," he said on the VR46 website.

Pritelli and Casadei expressed similar sentiments. If the name Matteo Gabbarini sounds familiar: Matteo is the son of Christian Gabbarini, Francesco Bagnaia's crew chief, and is competing in the Junior World Championship this year.

Niccolo Antonelli to support the Academy's work with young talent in future

Several members left the Academy at the end of 2022: Niccolo Antonelli, Alberto Surra and Stefano Manzi. Antonelli is now returning in a new role and will support the three youngest riders in their championships and daily training. The Academy recently greeted him with the words: "Welcome Home". Before his departure, Antonelli was a member of the Academy from 2014. However, he did not make the big leap in his career and after his switch to Moto2, he was a regular outside the World Championship points. After unsuccessful years in the Supersport World Championship, he switched to the CIV Supersport, where he rides a Yamaha R9 and recently won a race in Mugello.

Topic of the week

2027 MotoGP grid: Almost a quarter of the riders are new – implications for SBK

The 2027 MotoGP grid will feature five new regular riders, with at least three of those dropped set to move to the World Superbike Championship. The ones to suffer as a result are Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci.

Read more

TV program

Live

Misano: International Livestream

MotoGP World Championship

11.09.2026 - 08:55