Since 2013 Michele Pirro has been a test and substitute rider at Ducati – The Italian has experienced the restructuring and technical development first-hand
The role of MotoGP test rider has become increasingly important. Ducati started this trend with Michele Pirro. Honda followed suit with Stefan Bradl. Suzuki relies on Sylvain Guintoli, KTM works with Dani Pedrosa and Yamaha is building up the test team around Cal Crutchlow.
Pirro is already facing his tenth season as a test and replacement rider with Ducati. In 2012, the Italian completed his only full season in the premier class. Back then, Pirro rode an uncompetitive FTR Honda in the Gresini team according to the CRT regulations at the time.
As he was unable to find a permanent place with a team for 2013, Ducati offered him the job as a test rider. Since then, Pirro has made several race appearances every year. His best result was fourth place in Valencia 2018.
When Pirro joined Ducati, the Italian brand was without a chance against the top dogs of the time, Yamaha and Honda. Ducati underwent a lot of internal restructuring after the takeover by Audi.
Filippo Preziosi, who had been in charge of the MotoGP project from the beginning, withdrew. Bernhard Gobmeier took over until Gigi Dall’Igna was finally introduced as the new General Manager at the end of 2013.
Pirro has witnessed this rebuilding process first hand. “Gigi has made Ducati a group so that everyone gives their best and contributes their ideas,” Pirro is quoted as saying by ‘GPOne.com’. “Gigi is a teacher and a genius – on and off the track.”
But in the beginning, the relationship between Pirro and Dall’Igna was not ideal. “Yes, there were differences because I wanted to be a racer again. But he wanted me to be a test rider. When Stoner returned, I thought the time had come for me.”
That was in early 2016, when the only Ducati World Champion to date returned to the Italians and did some testing. But it was only a brief guest appearance. On balance, Pirro was the more important test and replacement rider.
His work was also positively received by the competition. “Yes, I also had offers from other brands, but in the end I stayed in the Ducati family. I think the development work in Borgo Panigale was also noticed by other manufacturers.”
“It was the right decision for Gigi to let me test. In the past years he has given a lot to the project. You can see the results. Unfortunately, we haven’t won the drivers’ championship yet, but we are on the right track.”
Ducati has changed fundamentally over the past ten years. Pirro’s work has been an important building block in that. “Casey worked around the problems of the bike with his extraordinary talent,” Pirro believes, looking back on the successful Stoner era.
“Now Ducati is a bike for everyone. ‘Pecco’, Miller and Martin have won, but also Dovizioso, Petrucci and Lorenzo. Plus Zarco and Bastianini were on the podium. I think the Ducati is a simple and fast bike. “
