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The is a replica inspired by the colours of Sky Racing Team VR46, the Moto3 squad founded by Valentino Rossi to open a route into Grand Prix racing for young Italian riders. Behind that team sits the VR46 Riders Academy, the training program in Tavullia, Italy, that has become a familiar name in motorcycle racing.
Key Takeaways
- The VR46 Riders Academy was announced by Valentino Rossi in March 2014 and is based in his home town of Tavullia, Italy.
- Sky Racing Team VR46 ran KTM bikes in Moto3, with Andrea Migno and Nicolo Bulega as its regular riders in 2017.
- The suit is a replica inspired by that team, not equipment issued by it.
- A leather race suit is judged by abrasion resistance, fit in the riding position and the armour it can carry.
The Academy Behind the Colours
Valentino Rossi, a nine-time world champion, announced the academy in March 2014 as a place to prepare young Italian riders physically and mentally, with technical support and help finding the right team. The first six riders were Franco Morbidelli, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Nicolo Bulega, Romano Fenati and Pecco Bagnaia. The launch was reported by Roadracing World.
Sky Racing Team VR46 in Moto3
The team was founded in 2014 and raced KTM machines in Moto3. In 2017 its regular riders were Andrea Migno and Nicolo Bulega. Migno won at Mugello that year and finished ninth in the standings, while Bulega's top result was fourth in Germany and he ended the season twelfth, according to the VR46 Racing Team entry on Wikipedia.
The Sky Team 2017 race suit takes that team identity as its reference. It is a rider-focused replica inspired by the squad, made to order and hand-stitched by Leather Collection. Fans who follow Rossi's own career can compare it with the , which is inspired by his Repsol Honda era, or add the to a matching set.
What to Look for in a Leather Race Suit
Leather is used in race suits mainly for its resistance to abrasion in a slide. Beyond the material, three things decide whether a suit works on a track day or a spirited road ride: fit in the riding position, seam construction and armour. A suit that bunches or pulls when the rider is tucked behind the screen can shift on the body, so measurements deserve care and should be checked against the size guidance on the product page.
Armour for shoulders, elbows, hips and knees falls under EN 1621-1, which grades protectors as Level 1 or Level 2 by how much impact force is transmitted to the wearer; Level 2 allows less. Back protectors are covered separately by EN 1621-2. Armour details for a specific suit should be confirmed on its product page.
Who This Replica Suits
- Fans of Valentino Rossi, the VR46 Riders Academy and Italian Moto3 racing
- Sport riders and track-day riders who want a race-style cut
- Collectors of motorsport apparel with a clear team reference
Riders comparing styles can browse the or the wider to see how team designs differ.
Other pieces linked to the academy are grouped in the range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VR46 Riders Academy?
It is a training program announced by Valentino Rossi in March 2014 and based in Tavullia, Italy. It offers physical and psychological preparation, technical support and help placing young riders in teams. Its first six riders were Franco Morbidelli, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Nicolo Bulega, Romano Fenati and Pecco Bagnaia.
Who rode for Sky Racing Team VR46 in Moto3 in 2017?
The regular riders were Andrea Migno and Nicolo Bulega on KTM machines. Migno won at Mugello and finished the season ninth with 118 points, while Bulega finished twelfth with 81 points, with a top result of fourth in Germany.
Is the Sky Team 2017 suit team-issued equipment?
No. It is a replica inspired by the team's Moto3 identity. Leather Collection makes it hand-stitched and made to order, and it should be treated as inspired gear rather than equipment issued by the team or the academy.
What should a rider check on a leather race suit?
Check that the fit allows the full riding position without pulling, that seams and leather are suited to abrasion, and what armour is fitted. Joint protectors are tested under EN 1621-1 and back protectors under EN 1621-2, so those markings are worth looking for.
Written by the Leather Collection Editorial Team.
