Power, dirt, and pure racing spirit — Valentino Rossi’s legendary 100km of Champions is back for its eleventh showdown. Hosted at the Doctor’s iconic Moto Ranch in Tavullia, Italy, this dirt track spectacle gathers some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing for a weekend of skill, rivalry, and old-school camaraderie. But here’s where it gets interesting — this isn’t just about speed. It’s about legacy, bragging rights, and carrying forward the fiery spirit of Rossi’s empire.
The 100km dei Campioni, featuring two-rider teams, first kicked off in 2014 — just a year after the foundation of the VR46 Riders Academy. It was a bold experiment from Rossi, aimed at nurturing young talent while giving fans a glimpse of raw, unfiltered motorsport in a backyard setting. That first race saw a youthful Nicolo Bulega, later destined to become a WorldSBK runner-up, take the inaugural win with fellow Moto2 and World Supersport victor Lorenzo Baldassarri.
A year later, Valentino himself roared to his first home victory — the beginning of a six-win streak that defined much of the race’s history. Most of those triumphs came alongside his younger brother, Luca Marini, making the Rossi-Marini duo nearly unbeatable on dirt. Their teamwork became the stuff of racing folklore. But even legends get dethroned. In 2017, Franco Morbidelli and Mattia Pasini pulled off a surprise win, followed later by Baldassarri joining forces with Elia Bartolini for another upset in 2022. It begs the question — has Rossi’s Moto Ranch dynasty finally met its match?
Despite hanging up his MotoGP leathers at the end of 2021, the Doctor’s retirement didn’t cool his competitive fire. He bounced back to win again in the ninth edition (2024), pairing once more with Marini. Yet, the following race in January 2025 brought a major twist. Brazilian star Diogo Moreira, joined by French supermoto ace Thomas Chareyre, made history as the first non-Italian team to claim victory. It marked a turning point — the Moto Ranch was no longer just an Italian stronghold.
Now, for the 11th edition of the 100km dei Campioni, Moreira and Chareyre return as defending champions. Moreira, set to join LCR Honda for the 2026 MotoGP season, will share the track with an impressive mix of veterans and young talents. Notably, six current MotoGP riders are part of this weekend’s entry list, raising the stakes higher than ever.
Past Winners — 100km dei Campioni
1st edition: Nicolo Bulega, Lorenzo Baldassarri
2nd edition: Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini
3rd edition: Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini
4th edition: Franco Morbidelli, Mattia Pasini
5th edition: Valentino Rossi, Franco Morbidelli
6th edition: Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini
7th edition: Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini
8th edition: Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini
9th edition: Valentino Rossi, Luca Marini
10th edition: Diogo Moreira, Thomas Chareyre
Entry List — 11th Edition (2025)
Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Senna Agius, David Alonso, Niccolò Antonelli, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Barry Baltus, Elia Bartolini, Daniel Bewley, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolò Bulega, Mattia Casadei, Francesco Cecchini, Thomas Chareyre, Filippo Farioli, Augusto Fernández, Matteo Ferrari, Alessandro Lupino, Federico Fuligni, Filippo Fuligni, Matteo Gabarini, Marco Gaggi, Manuel González, Dean Harrison, Chris Holder, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Guy Martin, Andrea Migno, Jack Miller, Diogo Moreira, Tim Neave, Iván Ortolá, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Lorenzo Pritelli, Tito Rabat, Bradley Ray, Alberto Surra, Davey Todd, Andrea Verona, Celestino Vietti.
And let’s not forget — few people know the MotoGP paddock better than journalist Peter, who has witnessed Rossi’s magical career and now continues covering stories like Suzuki’s racing exit and Marc Marquez’s ongoing injury battles.
One thing’s for sure: the 100km dei Campioni is not just another off-season race. It’s Rossi’s legacy in motion — a blend of mentorship, mischief, and fierce competition. But is this the year the master finally gets outgunned by his protégés? Share your thoughts — does Rossi still rule Tavullia, or has the next generation already taken over?
