Michele Pirro is set to return to the World Superbike Championship this weekend as a wildcard entry in the Misano round. Due to the concession regulations, Ducati cannot field their test rider as a wildcard in MotoGP this season, so Pirro will compete in the production-based bikes championship instead.
In an interview with WorldSBK.com, the Italian rider emphasized the significance of this opportunity: ‘For this year, the wildcard is a dream! WorldSBK is a good chance to stay at a good level. For my job, as a test rider, it is necessary to stay at a top level, and this wildcard is a great chance to do that’.
Despite being familiar with the Panigale V4 R, Pirro acknowledged that he will face some challenges and uncertainties: ‘Today, my big problem is understanding the front feeling, because the Pirelli tyre is a different story compared to Michelin [MotoGP], and also the Dunlop [CIV]. I check the data of the other riders, but I try my best’.
Moreover, he commented on the high level of competition in the WSBK field: ‘I am old, compared to five or six years ago! I see the level of WorldSBK is very high and the bikes are very competitive. I see the BMW and also the Yamaha is fighting a lot more compared to the past. But we will see at the race weekend. It’s my home race, and I’m really happy to be riding in the Aruba colours at the Italian race’.