Lorenzo chooses Pirro to be Ducati track analyst

Jorge Lorenzo will have Ducati test rider Michele Pirro acting as his track analyst this season, the three-time MotoGP champion has confirmed.

Lorenzo had Wilco Zeelenberg as his track analyst during his Yamaha years, and approached several different names to substitute the Dutch former GP star on his new adventure with Ducati.

Initially, the most viable option was Casey Stoner, test rider and ambassador of the Borgo Panigale marque. Later on, Max Biaggi's name was mentioned, a rider with whom the Spaniard has always maintained a close relationship.

However, the man helping Lorenzo during his time on track will be Pirro, who has spent the last five years working as Ducati's test rider while racing in the Italian Superbike Championship.

With his new position, Pirro will travel to most GPs during the season, a change to his routine from recent times. Lorenzo, meanwhile, has been very close to Pirro since the start of the year, when he officially became a Ducati rider, and has even visited the Italian's home in Cesena.

"I am very happy with Michele, and that's why we have chosen him as the new analyst," confirmed Lorenzo to Motorsport.com.

Pirro, who last raced a full season of MotoGP in 2012, said: "We have a common goal. Ducati is like my family, and if I can help Jorge to win the championship, I will be delighted.

"This is my fifth year in Ducati and I've ridden all their bikes. Jorge has been lucky to arrive at the best moment, although it is normal to take some time to adapt himself to the new bike.

"We have to keep in mind that, until now, he has only known the Yamaha in the MotoGP class. The Desmosedici demands a different riding style.

"The Ducati machine is not a completely different bike, but he was familiar with another one. The main thing for him now is to spend as long as possible on the track.

"From Monday to Tuesday he was a full second faster, and on Wednesday he improved again. The bike was still the same, he just adapted himself."