Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global

Pirro to ride third Ducati at Mugello

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro will contest this weekend’s MotoGP round at Mugello as a wild-card rider alongside team regulars Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone.

Michele Pirro, Ducati Team

Michele Pirro, Ducati Team

Ducati Corse

Michele Pirro, Ducati Team
Michele Pirro, Ducati Team
Michele Pirro, Ducati Team
Michele Pirro, Ducati Team
Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team
Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team

Pirro, who is riding full time in the Italian Superbike championship this year, has served as Ducati’s test rider since 2013, following his only full season in the premier class aboard a Gresini-run FTR-Honda in 2012.

He spent much of 2013 deputising for an injured Ben Spies at the satellite Pramac squad, before making half a dozen wild-card appearances last season aboard a third works Desmosedici, his best result being 9th in the season finale at Valencia.

“I am very pleased to do my first wild-card race of the year at Mugello, and it’s also really exciting for me to race for the first time with the GP15,” said Pirro.

“In five races the new Desmosedici has already scored five podiums, proving to be very competitive and so it’s a big responsibility for me.

“But with the Ducati Test Team we have always done a good job on the bike’s development and so I am confident we can obtain a good result.”

Iannone discovers arm fracture

Iannone meanwhile will go into his home race having uncovered a fresh arm injury, a legacy of his testing crash at Mugello earlier in the month that dislocated his left shoulder.

“A couple of days ago I stopped taking pain-killers and yesterday I did an MRI scan,” said the Italian.

“Unfortunately they found a hairline fracture at the tip of my funny bone, and to be sincere that was a bit of a nasty surprise.

“The swelling still causes me a lot of pain and I am continuing to do laser therapy in an attempt to get it to go down as soon as possible.”

 

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Iannone "a lot like Biaggi," says manager
Next article MotoGP needed rules revolution, says team boss

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global