By Luigi Ciamburro / Corsedimoto.com
Exclusive interview with Michele Pirro, Ducati test rider who has been following the development of the Desmosedici GP19 for months. He is present in Malaysia to replace Jorge Lorenzo in case he withdraws.
Michele Pirro is available to Ducati in Malaysia for a possible replacement of Jorge Lorenzo. Having recently tested the new 2019 Desmosedici prototype in Valencia, the San Giovanni Rotondo test rider is ready to return to the track for a MotoGP race, five months after his scary crash at Mugello. After the Sepang Grand Prix, he will return to Italy where he will attend the Eicma in Milan from November 6 to 7 as a guest on the Blauer HT stand (pavilion 13). We will then see him again on track in Valencia as a wild card, as well as at work during the tests. This will thus be the opportunity to introduce the 2019 GP which will be available to Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci next year.
What impression did the 2019 Desmosedici GP prototype make on you?
The new bike is very similar to the GP18 prototype. It is currently the most competitive bike in the MotoGP World Championship as it is able to fight for victory on both sides of the box. The GP19 starts from the same base, but with greater growth potential and we will explore this during the next tests. I am very satisfied with the work we have done with Ducati and the results speak for us.
Do you think you can still realize your dream of becoming a MotoGP rider?
The dream is not just a dream, it is also reality. When we decided to take the development path, with the role of test rider, we indirectly changed the rules of the game and the balance that existed until then in MotoGP. Previously, this role was held by pilots at the end of their careers who, for various reasons, gave slower feedback than official pilots. As soon as I started taking care of the Ducati MotoGP development work, the processes became shorter and the best solutions were chosen quickly, without delay. This saved us time which allowed us to explore new areas such as those related to aerodynamics, where we are further ahead than others. In any case, the possibility of racing as a driver is always present. The conditions will clearly have to be optimal from a technical point of view to allow me to be a protagonist.
What is Ducati missing to make further progress?
Ducati has everything it takes to continue this growth process that will not stop. The ability to adapt to various changes such as regulations is a winning characteristic at Ducati and progression is therefore constant.
How can you beat Marc Márquez?
Dovizioso and Lorenzo proved that you can beat him, because they did it more than once. He is obviously an extremely strong driver and is aware of it. It's the same thing for Dovizioso and Lorenzo, the difference is therefore made by the events, race after race.
Without Casey Storner, how will your role change?
It has been a great honor for me to share, on a few occasions, the box with a champion like Casey Stoner. You can only learn from a driver like him. Besides that, it won't change much about me. This year, for example, he only did one test so it doesn't really show up in MotoGP.
Your fans will be able to find you at Eicma in Milan on the Blauer stand… When did your collaboration with the brand begin, and what is special about it?
My collaboration with Blauer began in 2006, twelve years ago. We met in the World Cup and, thanks to their great support, I managed to achieve important results. Blauer is a special brand because they have been able to embody the values of seeking uncompromising services, which has made them stand out. I would say that the brand's slogan, “BLAUER UNCOPROMISE PERFORMANCE” is significant and I can only fully agree with it. Quality is difficult to convey, but I would say that paying attention to details, resistance over time and adaptation are essential elements which, combined with the design of the collections, make Bauer a truly unique brand.
Read the original article on Corsedimoto.com
Auteur: Luigi Ciamburro
