By Luigi Ciamburro / Motoracing
Michele Pirro describes the role of a MotoGP test rider. Working with Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo has helped take Ducati to the highest level, but from 2019 the Spaniard will be a formidable opponent.
Ducati is the MotoGP team that has mainly invested in its test riders. Michele Pirro was hired in 2012, while Casey Stoner is preparing to finish his third year (perhaps the last) at Desmosedici. No team has been able to count so much on two exceptional testers, especially since after realizing their importance, Honda, Yamaha and KTM are preparing the same structure for next season.
If today the Ducati of Borgo Panigale is considered the most complete MotoGP on the grid, it owes it in large part to the Apulian tester, young enough to find motivation in his work a little on the sidelines of the spotlight, and quite fast to be able to aspire to something more and fight for the first places when he performs wild cards. A job which, however, does not remain easy and which too often takes a back seat: “It’s very nice for us to also be able to participate in the races” admitted Michele Pirro to Speedweek.com. “If we get good results, like my fifth place in Misano in 2017, it’s very satisfying and it feels really good. For us it's important to work alone on a track for three days, just us and the track for many hours... working, trying, evaluating. No, it's not easy. »
To best perform the job of a test pilot, consistency and concentration are essential. You must, in fact, be careful not to make mistakes when looking for the limit, not only for your own physical condition, but also to avoid damaging the work done. Recently Michele Pirro was the victim of a violent accident at Mugello during FP2 which made everyone hold their breath for a moment. “It’s important to be quick without taking too many risks. I go to the limit and if necessary, I take risks. It happens, but generally speaking it's not the goal of a test. Our role is to develop a bike that can be fast for twenty or thirty laps. » His work seems entirely intended to be of service to Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, but ultimately, “Working for Jorge and Andrea made me grow as a driver. The three of us, together, generated a lot of data that helped us get the bike to this level. »
From next year the Majorcan will no longer be part of the Ducati box, but Michele Pirro believes that he owes a lot to a champion like Lorenzo, an opportunity that presents itself few times in life: “It has been an honor and a great opportunity for me to work with a world champion like Jorge. I also worked with Dovi, they are two very strong drivers. I know Jorge won't be riding for Ducati again next year, but I have to say he'll leave a lot of good things behind. He brought a lot to me personally… But in life, people come and go. » Next year he will be a difficult opponent to beat. “The negative side is that he will no longer ride with us in 2019. Not because he is resigning like Stoner, but because he will be riding another bike. That worries me, but we have a strong team with Dovizioso. »
Read the original article on Corsedimoto.com
Auteur: Luigi Ciamburro
