Lenovo reveals Ai-powered race data system for Ducati Panigale V2 junior championship riders
Lenovo is bringing professional-level race data analysis to Ducati’s young riders, and fans can access it too.
Lenovo is doing more than putting its name on the fairings of Ducati’s race bikes, with the technology company providing a new data analysis system to help develop the Italian manufacturer’s next generation of riders.
You may also like to read our Ducati Panigale V2 review.
The Lenovo V2 Future Champ Academy – Garage 51 | DUCATI has introduced Lenovo Race Performance Analysis, an AI-based system designed to give young riders access to the sort of performance data and analysis normally associated with professional race teams.
The academy was created by Ducati, Michele Pirro and Garage 51 to identify and develop future Ducati racing talent. The programme covers six championship rounds and three official tests, with riders receiving support both on the track and in areas such as communication and professional development.
As title partner, Lenovo has brought its own technology to the programme through the new data dashboard. Rather than simply sponsoring the academy, the company is providing the tools used by its riders to analyse and improve their on-track performance.
Lenovo Race Performance Analysis takes official timing data and turns it into visual information using a Lenovo ThinkStation P8 workstation. Riders can track lap-time trends, consistency and sector-by-sector performance, allowing them to see where they are gaining or losing time compared with their rivals.
The system is accessed through Lenovo ThinkBook laptops before and during race weekends, giving riders a way to analyse each session and adjust their approach as the weekend progresses.
Michele Pirro, co-creator and ambassador of the academy, said the technology is intended to give riders an understanding of data from an early stage in their careers. Something that should help them if and when they transitions into MotoGP and World Superbike competition.
“Lenovo's role in this Academy goes far beyond technology,” said Pirro. “Working closely with our riders, I have seen firsthand how data-driven insights are essential to the growth of young talent.”
The system is already being used by riders including Devis Bergamini of Team Bull Bikes – WRS, who is currently three points behind the championship leader with one round remaining.
“For us riders, we are always looking for new ways to analyse our performance and improve, both on and off the track,” said Bergamini.
The technology is also being used by less experienced riders, including Garage 51’s Andrea Mercaldo, who only began professional racing this year.
There is another interesting element to Lenovo’s involvement, too. The Race Performance Analysis dashboard isn't restricted to the riders and their teams. It's also available to fans, allowing them to look at lap-time trends and consistency during a race weekend and see where riders are finding or losing time.
Lenovo and Garage 51 are now looking at expanding the system, potentially adding motorcycle sensor data and rider performance metrics. That could eventually give riders and fans a much more detailed picture of how rider inputs and bike behaviour influence lap times.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
