The recognition was conferred by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, as part of the initiative "Moto d'Italia – Culture Beyond the Track."

Rome, July 14, 2026 – The Mugello International Circuit has been awarded the title of "Ambassador of Sports Diplomacy," a recognition that highlights the role of the Tuscan circuit as an Italian excellence capable of promoting, through sport, the image, values, and heritage of our country around the world.

The award ceremony took place in Rome at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Farnesina) during the event "Moto d'Italia – Culture Beyond the Track," chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, who presented the plaque to the Director of the Mugello International Circuit, Paolo Poli.

Owned by Ferrari, the Mugello Circuit has for decades represented one of the symbolic venues of Italian and international motorcycle racing. The history of the circuit, the prestige of the events it hosts, and its deep connection with the local area make it a benchmark facility, capable of combining sport, innovation, sustainability, and the promotion of Made in Italy.

Over the years, Mugello has established itself as one of the most prestigious international showcases of Italian motorsport excellence, contributing to the promotion of the culture of two- and four-wheel mobility while generating significant economic, tourism, and image benefits for the country.

"With Moto d'Italia – Culture Beyond the Track, we wanted to highlight the contribution of motorcycle racing and the Italian two-wheel industry to promoting innovation, creativity, and the excellence of Made in Italy at the international level," said Minister Antonio Tajani. "Italian sport is a fundamental instrument of our foreign policy, as well as of our trade policy. Motorcycles are an integral part of our tradition and our territories: they represent an authentic expression of the Italian way of life. In motorcycle racing, we transform passion and culture into an industry of excellence that we export all over the world. 2026 is a highly symbolic year for this sector: it marks the 100th anniversary of the Ducati brand, the 80th anniversary of the Vespa, and the 50th anniversary of the first Motorcycle Grand Prix held at the Mugello Circuit, which last May welcomed 180,000 attendees from all over the world."

Upon receiving the recognition as Ambassador of Sports Diplomacy, the Director of the Mugello International Circuit, Paolo Poli, stated:

"It is a privilege for us and for Ferrari, the owner of the facility, to receive this important institutional recognition. One cannot speak about Italian motorcycle racing without also telling the story of the places where this passion takes shape. Racing circuits are strategic sporting infrastructures, but also places of tourism, innovation, safety, territorial identity, and collective memory. This year our circuit celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Motorcycle Grand Prix held here in 1976. The awarding of this title is a source of great pride for Mugello and an encouragement to continue promoting sport as a tool for growth, international promotion, and economic development. Confirming this, according to the latest study relating to the circuit's 2025 sporting season, the overall economic impact generated across the country amounted to €205 million, with 250 days of on-track activity."

The initiative brought together representatives from institutions, the motorcycle industry, and the world of sport, confirming the role of the two-wheel sector as an ambassador of Italian excellence worldwide. Among those in attendance, alongside Minister Tajani, were Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chief Executive Officer of MotoGP Sports Entertainment; Matteo Zoppas, President of ICE Agency; Mariano Roman, President of ANCMA; Giovanni Copioli, President of the Italian Motorcycling Federation (FMI); Claudio Domenicali, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati; Massimo Rivola, Chief Executive Officer of Aprilia Racing; together with riders Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, Max Biaggi, Kiara Fontanesi, Giacomo Agostini, and Franco Uncini.

The recognition conferred upon the Mugello International Circuit further strengthens the circuit's role as an international benchmark not only for motorsport competitions, but also as a meeting place for sport, culture, innovation, and diplomacy, contributing to the promotion of Italy and its excellence on the world's leading international stages.

A total of 12 races and more than 300 riders will take to the track as the 2026 Coppa Italia Velocità heads to the Mugello Circuit for its second round of the season, taking place from June 26 to 28. One of Italy's premier racing venues, the iconic Tuscan circuit will once again host the country's leading FMI-approved championships.

The spectacular Mugello track will welcome competitors from the Trofeo Italiano Amatori (1000 and 600), Trofeo RR Cup, National Trophy 1000, Dunlop Cup (1000 and 600), Pirelli Cup (1000 and 600), and Trofeo IRC Performance Cup, alongside two highly successful one-make series: the Aprilia Racing RS 457 Cup and the Suzuki GSX-8R Cup. The weekend will also feature the third round of the Italian Women's Championship (CIV Femminile).

FMI-APPROVED CHAMPIONSHIPS READY FOR ACTION

The Trofeo Italiano Amatori, now in its 21st season and organized by Moto Club Motolampeggio, kicked off at Vallelunga with Walter Di Carlo taking victory in the 1000 class ahead of wild cards Giovanni Flagello and Alessandro Salemme. In the 600 class, Gianluigi Rizzi claimed top honours ahead of Simone Bonaccorso and Ludovico Papale.

The RR Cup, racing this weekend in memory of Dimitri Tempesti, who tragically passed away during Saturday practice at Vallelunga, opened its 2026 campaign with a victory for Santo Isgrò, followed by Stefano Zago and Christian Cippitelli.

The Virus Power National Trophy 1000, organized by Moto Club Spoleto, saw reigning champion Francesco Ciaccibegin his title defence in perfect fashion, taking victory ahead of Marco Marcheluzzo and Roberto Ferrara. Meanwhile, the opening round of the IRC Performance Cup confirmed the strength of Luca Cimarello, who won ahead of Santo Lico and Roberto Galdoni.

As always, the Dunlop Cup, promoted by EMG Eventi, attracted riders with extensive national and international experience. Andrea Boscoscuro claimed victory in the 1000 class ahead of Remo Castellarin and Sweden's Edvin Röjerås, while Armando Pontone won the 600 class ahead of Domenico Passanisi and Valentino Casalboni.

In the Pirelli Cup, organized by Ideal Gomme Eventi, Danilo Antino Aveta won the 1000 class ahead of Peppino Cirotto and Christian Micochiero. The 600 class featured an exciting battle between Nicola Bernabè and Michael Coletti, with just 0.214 seconds separating the pair at the chequered flag, while Andrea Tamburini completed the podium.

Now in its second season, the Aprilia Racing RS 457 Cup continues its mission of developing young talent through an accessible and educational racing platform. The opening round saw Gabriel Fabio Vuono take victory ahead of Andrea Benvenuti and Omri Chen.

In the Suzuki GSX-8R Cup, championship leader Samuele Marino arrives at Mugello with a healthy points advantage over his closest challengers, Mattia Lacasella and Fabio Starnone.

ROUND THREE OF THE WOMEN'S ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Coppa Italia weekend will also host the third round of the 2026 Women's Italian Championship (CIV Femminile).

Following the opening two rounds at Misano and Vallelunga, Poland's Karolina Danak (Prata Motorsport) leads the standings after winning two of the first three races. She sits on 61 points, holding a three-point advantage over Spain's Yvonne Cerpa (Gradacorse) and a six-point lead over Elisabetta Monti (Team Trasimeno), winner of Race 2 at Misano.

Also among the championship contenders is Josephine Bruno (Team Trasimeno), currently 11 points off the lead. She arrives at Mugello after an impressive debut in the FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship at Misano, where she qualified fifth in Superpole and secured a Top 10 finish in Race 2.

SAFETY AND RIDER DEVELOPMENT

The rider development programme will continue at Mugello under the guidance of FMI technical instructors. Throughout the weekend, competitors will take part in dedicated training sessions designed to improve riding technique, beginning with race-start practice.

In addition to on-track monitoring, riders will attend classroom briefings focusing on circuit safety and further refinement of riding skills.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Round 2 of the 2026 Coppa Italia Velocità gets underway on Friday, June 26, with free practice sessions.

Official qualifying will take place on Saturday from 9:20 a.m., while Sunday, June 28, will feature all 12 races, with the first race scheduled to start at 9:10 a.m.

Tickets are available both at the circuit and through TicketOne.

The 8th edition of the Mugello Granfondo, organized by ASD Mugello Toscana Bike, was a great success, once again confirming its status as one of the leading cycling tourism events in the region.

A total of 1,115 cyclists from all over Italy and abroad gathered at the Mugello Circuit, which hosted the start and finish of the event for the fourth consecutive year. These impressive numbers confirm the Mugello Granfondo as the largest cycling tourism event in Tuscany.

Following the official start given by the Mayor of Scarperia e San Piero, Federico Ignesti, participants completed a full lap of the famous race track before setting off on one of the five routes prepared by the organizers: three road courses and two gravel routes, designed to showcase the beauty of the Mugello area while catering to cyclists of all levels.

In the long course, Luca Crinolini claimed victory in the men's category, while Vanessa Santeliz was the fastest woman. In the medium course, the winners were Fabrizio Rambelli among the men and Rasa Rumsaite among the women.

In the team classification based on the combined times, New MT Bike Team emerged victorious. In the cycling tourism team standings, the organizing club ASD Mugello Toscana Bike took first place, ahead of Ciclistica Viaccia in second and G.C. Campi 04 in third.

The event once again delivered a memorable day of sport, passion and territorial promotion, attracting hundreds of cycling enthusiasts and further strengthening the reputation and prestige of a race that has become one of the most important fixtures on the Tuscan cycling calendar.

It was a sun-drenched Sunday for the Brembo Italian Grand Prix 2026, with MotoGP taking center stage at the Mugello Circuit. Among the high-profile guests in attendance was the President of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, who emphasized the massive impact of the event. "Hosting an event of this caliber in our territory is fundamental," the Governor stated. "Motorsports are experiencing ever-growing attraction today, becoming highly popular and deeply engaging sports." Giani went on to praise the management of the racetrack, offering a strong vote of confidence to its leadership: "Having an exceptional manager like Paolo Poli in Scarperia—whose trust Ferrari has consistently renewed across various 'dynasties'—is a unique asset that we must hold onto tightly." The President confirmed the Region's full support for Mugello as negotiations continue for a five-year contract renewal with MotoGP. "The Region must do its part to ensure we remain a permanent fixture on this global stage," Giani added, acknowledging the benchmarks set by neighboring regions. "We don't want to fall behind Emilia-Romagna and what they have achieved for Misano or Imola. Competition to host these events is fiercer than ever. We must leverage Mugello's established reputation as one of the safest and most beautiful tracks in the world, but we also need to deliver more in terms of logistical infrastructure." To future-proof the venue, the Governor outlined key areas for improvement: Expanded parking facilities, upgraded road networks, enhanced logistical support to secure long-term operations for this highly significant circuit. The Mugello Circuit continues to prove itself as a powerful economic and promotional driver for the entire Tuscany region. "With fans and journalists arriving from all over the globe, the media value reflecting Tuscany's image through this racetrack is extraordinary," President Giani concluded. "It is clear that we must improve conditions to make the hospitality experience even better. Because of this, we will increase our contributions toward both external and internal infrastructure to ensure smoother traffic flow and overall accessibility."

The Italian flag waving in the wind and the breathtaking flyover by the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team provided the perfect backdrop for a MotoGP race that spoke Italian in almost every corner of the track. Marco Bezzecchi claimed his first-ever victory at the Tuscan circuit—the 10th MotoGP win of his career—leading a dominant Aprilia 1-2 ahead of teammate Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia’s Ducati.

The race saw "Bez" spend the first half tucked behind a resurgent Bagnaia, who managed to grab the holeshot and lead the field while the Aprilias battled intensely behind him. Meanwhile, Raúl Fernández ran wide early on, removing himself from the podium fight, and Marc Márquez dropped back slightly, spending most of the race battling Pedro Acosta before crossing the line in seventh.

Once Bezzecchi executed a powerhouse overtake on Bagnaia on the straight, he never looked back. With this win, he solidifies his World Championship lead, sitting at +17 points over Martín and +39 over Fabio Di Giannantonio, who produced a stellar recovery from a poor start to finish fifth.

Ai Ogura also delivered the comeback of the day, charging from 13th on the grid to finish fourth, putting immense pressure on Bagnaia, who had to fight until the very last lap to defend his podium spot.

"The dream I've had since I was a child!" screamed a joyful Bezzecchi after crossing the finish line, where his friend and F1 driver Kimi Antonelli was waving the checkered flag.

The celebrations kicked off for "Bez" and the three Italian bikes on the podium, saluting the traditional track invasion of over 88,000 fans at Mugello (capping off a record-breaking weekend total of 178,723 spectators)—the perfect postcard to say arrivederci until next year.

MOTO2: Gonzalez Commands as Vietti Storms to Second

In Moto2, Manuel González reaffirmed his championship leader status by dominating the race from lights to flag and extending his standings lead. Behind him, Celestino Vietti put on an absolute masterclass. Launching from 16th on the grid, Vietti mounted an extraordinary comeback, sealing second place with a thrilling last-lap overtake. Daniel Holgado completed the podium, while Tony Arbolino finished 11th and Luca Lunetta 16th.

MOTO3: Maiden Victory for Rookie Uriarte

The Sunday racing action at Mugello kicked off with Moto3, yielding a maiden victory for Spanish rookie Marcos Uriarte. Joining him on the podium were Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte (Danish), while the Italian contingent finished further down the order (Matteo Bertelle 12th, Guido Pini 15th, and Nicola Carraro 20th). Despite a tough race finishing 11th, David Quiles maintains his lead at the top of the World Championship standings.

A Saturday dominated by Aprilia is the statement made at the Mugello circuit on day two of the 2026 Brembo Italian Grand Prix. The Noale-based manufacturer took it all: from Raul Fernandez’s Sprint Race victory to Marco Bezzecchi’s pole position, rewriting the history books along the way with a new lap record and an all-time top speed record of 368.8 km/h set by Jorge Martin (surpassing Brad Binder’s previous benchmark of 366.1 km/h). The Trackhouse Aprilia Spaniard mastered the 11 laps on the scorching Tuscan asphalt, courtesy of a medium tire choice and a stellar launch at the start that allowed him to hold off Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez. Meanwhile, the championship leader paid the price for an error at Turn 1, and the reigning World Champion, returning from yet another injury, brought home a fourth and fifth-place finish. As the race unfolded, Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio charged through the field to secure second and third, confirming their stellar form. "Let's go get them!" the Roman rider shouted as he joined the fans packing the Mugello hills, celebrating a brilliant comeback from seventh on the grid. Di Giannantonio now sits 25 points off the championship lead. On the other hand, 'Bez', who holds a 12-point margin over Martin in second, has clear ideas on where the Sprint podium slipped away: "I made a mistake at the first corner. I lost touch with the leaders there, and taking any more risks was pointless." Fernandez's triumph was deeply emotional for the Trackhouse rider: "This isn't just a regular victory; I'm coming off a very difficult period. Without my family and my team, I don't know where I would be," Fernandez confessed, on the verge of tears. "I cried on the last lap. I proved that I am here." It was a heartfelt admission from a rider whose future remains uncertain and who is currently facing the risk of being left without a seat for next season. Pecco Bagnaia’s usual aversion to the short races continued as he finished seventh: "I’ve lost my strongest asset, which was my starts. The bike wheelies, and I lose a lot of time," a dejected Pecco admitted. Elsewhere, there were crashes with no consequences for Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli. Tomorrow at 2:00 PM, the grid resets with an all-Aprilia front row featuring Bezzecchi, Fernandez, and Martin, setting the stage for the ultimate showdown over the traditional 23-lap race distance.

Right in the midst of the World Championship weekend at Mugello, Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer of Dorna Sports, met with the Italian press inside the circuit to take stock of the first part of the MotoGP season and look ahead to its future prospects. Starting with the number of races on the calendar, which is set to stay exactly as it is: "For us, the maximum remains 22. We have an agreement with the teams not to exceed that threshold for the next five years. We believe it's the correct number. MotoGP must continue to grow, but this won't happen by increasing the number of GPs; instead, it's about delivering a better event every single weekend."

Carlos, how do you evaluate the updates introduced by Mugello, from the facilities to the overall organization? "We are very satisfied. For us, Mugello is always a special Grand Prix, because of the history of the circuit but also because of its surroundings. Being so close to Florence means everyone in the MotoGP paddock loves coming here. It's also clear that every year we have an event that grows from an organizational and logistical standpoint. We really needed this paddock expansion, and I must say the circuit did an incredible job, leaving us highly satisfied. That’s why we are also discussing long-term projects."

So, will you be making further proposals for the coming years? "Yes, there is truly a massive demand, and we want permanent infrastructure upgrades to help everyone grow. Because of this, it’s crucial that fans in every area—from the general admission lawns (prato) to the grandstands—enjoy an even better experience than they do now."

At this point in the season, a new safety alarm is ringing after the numerous crashes in Barcelona. There have been several meetings with the riders—is there something that needs fixing? "We are always highly attentive to safety, but that wasn't the case in Barcelona. The two incidents that occurred there were unfortunately severe and spectacular, but they are a part of the sport, even though we do everything possible to reduce risk. In Barcelona, emotions were running high because of those two crashes, but the riders were out of danger, and there were no safety reasons not to continue the race. Everyone was in agreement on this."

Do you intend to modify anything for the future? "Following the meetings with the Safety Commission, we are working on four specific areas. The first is studying a different design for the starting grid and the first turn for the future, to give riders more space and reduce risk. The second concerns the front ride-height device (hole-shot); we have proposed to the manufacturers to stop using it, and they are currently checking if this can be implemented as early as this year. The third is a protection for the rear wheel because, as Johann Zarco’s crash demonstrated, it’s a highly exposed area. The fourth—as seen in the contact between Pedro Acosta and Alex Marquez—is an system where the bike's rear light can alert the riders behind when a mechanical issue occurs."

A new era has begun for MotoGP with the arrival of Liberty Media and personnel coming from Formula 1. What has changed? "It’s a very positive impact. Having conversations with the people who built the F1 of today is an invaluable experience; they bring a fresh vision and mindset. However, everything we do will remain authentic to MotoGP, where pure competition must stay at the center. I think it’s hard to deny that these are the best motorsport races on the planet. Liberty sees the value in entering a sector where there's no need to 'fix' the sport itself. If anything, there will be more focus on the commercial side, marketing investments, the paddocks, or new locations, but we won't change things just for the sake of changing them."

Will Moto2 and Moto3 therefore continue to exist? "Absolutely, yes. Moto2 and Moto3 are intrinsic and fundamental parts of the championship. They are important products for broadcasters and fans alike, and they serve to build the stars of the future. We are working to make the procedures across all three categories as similar as possible to better showcase the young talent that can emerge."

Introducing new features helps expand the fanbase, but is there a risk of losing the "historical fan"? "This is the only possible path forward; we never look at it as having to choose between the fan of today and the fan of tomorrow. Innovations like the Sprint Race benefit both sides, as the Saturday TV ratings clearly demonstrate. We want fans to be closer to the riders—physically in the fan zones, and through content that allows them to truly get to know their personalities."

50 anni di emozioni è un traguardo che andava festeggiato ed il Mugello Circuit lo ha fatto sfogliando l’album dei ricordi e mostrando i volti di chi ha attraversato questi anni pieni di velocità. Inaugurata oggi, in occasione del cinquantesimo anniversario dell’impianto, una mostra fotografica che attraversa mezzo secolo di corse e di campioni sulle due ruote. “50 anni di velocità e leggende” si legge entrando al Media Center dell’autodromo dove le pareti sono tappezzate delle immagini di piloti e momenti storici, scelti pescando nel grande archivio del Mugello Circuit con l’aiuto di Gigi Soldano in veste di direttore artistico. A tagliare il nastro tricolore, al fianco del direttore dell’autodromo Paolo Poli, il sindaco di Scarperia e San Piero a Sieve Federico Ignes e lo stesso Soldano che hanno celebrato un legame indissolubile come quello tra il circuito ed il motociclismo. “E’ un modo per ringraziare tutti i nostri compagni di viaggio e ricordare il lavoro fatto. Siamo un circuito ormai riferimento a livello mondiale, capace di innovare su sicurezza e strutture ma anche di mantenere lo stesso layout di pista che ha messo alla prova tanto Agostini o Roberts quanto i campioni di oggi” le parole di Poli all’inizio del lungo week end di gara che coincide con l’imminente prolungamento del contratto per i prossimi cinque anni della MotoGp in Toscana. “Il rapporto è felice da oltre trent’anni, la trattativa è ben avviata entrambe le parti hanno la volontà di sottoscrivere l'accordo il prima possibile” conferma Poli ricordando che l’ultimo contributo dovrebbe arrivare dalla Regione: “Dobbiamo avere la certezza che ci sostenga in questo percorso dal punto di vista economico come ha sempre fatto in passato, ormai è l’unico modo per portare avanti eventi di questa portata ma siamo ottimisti, la discussione procede bene”. Mugello che ha aperto le porte alla prima invasione di tifosi, con un 10% in più sulle presenze dello scorso anno, ampliando i servizi a disposizione, dal Paddock ai parcheggi, per un investimento vicino ai 2,5mln di euro. “E’ il modo migliore per essere attrattivi a qualsiasi tipologia di gara nazionale o internazionale, penso al WEC (Campionato mondiale Endurance) ma anche se arrivasse una chiamata della Formula 1 siamo pronti” la conferma del presidente Poli. Riferimento di una macchina organizzativa imponente che ogni giorno porta in pista quasi mille persone per assicurare tutta la giornata di gara ed oltre 3mila impiegati in tutto il circuito del Mugello per gestire al meglio un evento che continua a generare visibilità, posti di lavoro e valore economico su tutto il territorio.