For eleven years now, Michele Pirro has been the backbone of Ducati development. With commitment and dedication, the Apulian test rider has clocked up kilometre after kilometre, to help the Borgo Panigale company reach the highest levels of motorcycling. Contributing significantly to the development of the Desmosedici, the Panigale V4 and many other projects of the Bologna manufacturer, such as the V21L involved in MotoE.
It is therefore not surprising that one of the conditions set by Alvaro Bautista, to extend his career in Red, is an increase in the efforts made by Ducati on Superbike. Focused precisely on greater involvement of the rider from San Giovanni Rotondo, first tip of the Barni Spark Racing team in the CIV Superbike.
It was on the sidelines of the Racing Night at Misano, where the 38-year-old confirmed himself unbeatable in the night race, that we spoke to Pirro about what awaits him and Ducati in the near future.
“First of all, I am pleased if Alvaro decides to stay because he is a two-time World Champion and has brought Ducati back to the top. So, if he decides to stay it is because he still feels competitive and can have his say – the test rider was keen to underline – If I can help the development of the SBK I will do so willingly, because it is part of my role in Ducati. What we have done in recent years, combining the new V4 that raced at the WDW with the MotoGP is the result of the work done by all the guys, but above all of the information that I have brought by riding the production bikes”.
Michele, have you already started preparing the development plan for next season?
“It is clear that there is a problem in SBK, because you have to develop a new bike that will be the double-sided bike for 2026, but you also have to try to limit the damage in 2025 with the current one. It won’t be easy, because it is a bike that has done a lot in recent years, but we will try. It is clear that against Toprak Razgatlioglu and a BMW like that it is not easy, because they have invested in a completely new and very effective project. However, we have ideas and we have things to analyze, to try to recover something and make up for this gap. Clearly, Alvaro also knows well that we will have to grit our teeth in 2025 and do our best while waiting for 2026 and he also appreciated the new V4, which has the characteristics of an advanced bike”.
Kawasaki has managed to recover some ground with the engine revs, where do you think you should intervene?
“The regulations can change and they have taken away from us, while they have given to others, but at this moment the World Championship is not over yet and we must try to do our best and work to find something. As I was saying, it is not easy, because we are talking about a production bike that has made its way. We are working on it and I am happy to be able to help Alvaro, even if in reality with the work I have done in these years, it is not that I have helped just one rider, but all the bikes. I never rejoice for certain things, but I think that the fact of having been the glue between MotoGP and production bikes is the result of what I have done in these years, also racing in the CIV and trying to push the company to always make a better bike than the one it produces”.
Speaking of regulations, do you think Bautista is mainly chasing ballast this year?
“No, I think the biggest problem is Toprak, who has raised the level a lot. Alvaro ended up in a bit of a limbo, maybe also because he wasn’t well at the beginning, but the level is really high now.”
Could Bulega’s performances have also destabilized him?
“I don’t think so, it’s just that the opponents grow. It’s happened to everyone and it will always happen, it’s sport. I also realize that with age when the youngsters arrive they go faster, or at least they have something more. So, with the same effort you made before you are no longer competitive. It’s part of the cycle, otherwise champions would last forever”.
What can you tell us about Nicolò?
“I think he is one of the best talents that Italy has. He had a somewhat troubled path, but he is returning to the levels where he can be. He is not doing anything more than what his talent and nature have given him. I remember that Bulega was predestined as a child, he had a deviation in his career but now he is recovering and this is a really important thing”.
What do you think about Iannone’s return?
“Iannone’s talent is beyond discussion. He had this four-year hiatus, but the talent remains and what makes the difference now for Andrea is motivation. He’s trying to earn a seat but it’s not easy, because you need a manufacturer that invests in a rider who will still be 36 years old. Motorcycling has changed and all the manufacturers, starting with us, have invested in young people. It’s a shame because he can still give a lot to motorcycling. But as Dall’Igna always says, unfortunately we don’t have bikes for everyone and you have to make choices, which sometimes please and other times displease”.
Photo credit: Barni Spark Racing
