THE PECCO chamber

Francesco Bagnaia grew up in a motorcycling family near Turin in Italy and was a star junior racer. But after scoring zero points as a 16-year-old rookie in the 2013 Moto3 World Championship, he briefly doubted his commitment and ambition.

So early in 2014, just after turning 17, Bagnaia packed his bags at the family home and boarded a train. His destination was Pesaro on Italy’s Adriatic Coast, as one of the inaugural inductees to Valentino Rossi’s newly established VR46 Academy.

Bagnaia was part of the initial intake of students to Rossi’s inspirational move to finesse the talent and training of young Italian riders at his Tavullia training ranch. The life-changing move was a pivotal moment that confirmed his passion for bikes and racing.

“It took courage both from me as well as from my parents. It was challenging, especially in the first period, when I was living in a hotel,” Bagnaia said. “I arrived in Pesaro by train and my mum had booked a hotel that we didn’t even know where it was. I took a