Michele Pirro says test seat with Ducati for 2013 MotoGP season is not a setback – MotoGP news
Michele Pirro, the 26-year-old Italian rider will field as a test rider for Ducati in 2013 MotoGP season.
This will be the first time in more than a decade that Pirro will be missing a full-time race programme, but still Pirro emphasised that this is not a backward step in his career.
The Italian will be making a switch from Gresini’s CRT entry to the Ducati factory line-up for the upcoming season. It was confirmed in a report by AUTOSPORT in September that Pirro had decided to join Ducati as a test rider rather than continue Gresini’s
CRT entry to pursue a full schedule for 2013.
After the test run in 2013, Ducati will place Pirro either in MotoGP or World Superbikes. Pirro is looking forward to that opportunity and is planning to make the best out of it. The Italian seems positive that his move to Ducati will be fruitful for him
in the long run, giving his riding career increased integrity.
“I prefer to do fewer races, but doing them with the right support. I'm looking for credibility, and I'm determined to take advantage of every chance - even the smallest one - Ducati grant me. In 2013 I will do testing and will enter three MotoGP races.
In 2014 I will have a competition programme, in MotoGP or in Superbike.” Pirro told Motorsprint.
In 2012, while riding as Gresini Honda's CRT entry, Pirro finished 15th on riders' championship standings. He finished ahead all CRT riders except the Aspar teammates Aleix Espargaro and Randy de Puniet.
For 2014, it is not yet finalised whether Pirro is going to ride in MotoGP or WSBK. But whatever it is, Pirro plans to make the best out of the chance.
“It hasn't been decided yet, but what counts is that I will enter a whole world championship season; and not just to make up the numbers, but to try to fight for something important. That was my objective,” says Pirro.
According to a Ducati official press release, Pirro will be getting three wildcard starts in the 2013 MotoGP season. Pirro will field in the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, Italian Grand Prix at Mugello and San Marino and Rimini’s Grand Prix at Misano.
Tags: