After reducing numbers in recent years, Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Riders Academy has announced a new official signature.
The selected rider is young Italian Lorenzo Pritelli, who currently leads the Civ Pre-Moto3 Championship with three wins from the opening round.
“Being part of the VR46 Rider Academy is a dream come true,” Priteri said.
“A key step for my growth surrounded by people who share the same passion and determination as me.
“We would like to thank all the academy staff for this incredible opportunity. It’s time to work even harder.”
Carlo Casabianca, CEO of VR46 Rider Academy, added: “I am very pleased with the entrance to the academy in Lorenzo.
“For us, it’s important to continue working on developing young talent, and I think in Lorenzo there are all the prerequisites to take a good path together.”
Founded by nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi to support Franco Morbidelli’s career in 2013, the academy currently boasts four premier-class riders in the form of double champions Francesco Bagnaia and Morbidelli, Luca Malini and Marco Betzecchi.
Other current members include Moto2’s Celestino Vietti and European talent cup Matteo Gabarrini, while Andrea Migno has moved from Rider to Coach and Video Analyst.
The Academy also has its own Ducati-backed MotoGP team running Morbidelli and Fabio di Giannantonio. However, Diggia is not an official academy member.