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Starting in early April in Misano, he will be chasing yet another title in the Italian CIV Superbike Championship, the eleventh to be precise. An indomitable Michele Pirro showed himself to be supercharged and eager to lay down his law again at the official presentation of the championship held in Milan. It was an opportunity for us to chat with Michele about a series of topics, including MotoGP where Ducati is already demonstrating its superiority. "My goal for 2025 is to aim for the SBK title, although it is not a foregone conclusion. At my age already not going slower than the previous year is important. It is never easy to improve, however, the desire always remains and I will give my best to succeed," he made it clear.
In your opinion, who will be able to challenge you?
"Meanwhile, I would like to say that the Italian championship is very important to me since I represent the Fiamme Oro sporting group in addition to Ducati. Regarding my rivals, I expect Alessandro Delbianco to be as fierce as always, as well as new talent ready to enter the fight. I, however, know what I am worth and what I can give, so I will try to do my best."
Your commitment will not only be on the track in the role of rider....
"No, with Ducati we are working on many projects, starting with a program dedicated to young riders, up to the V4 Elite Cup in amateur racing competitions. So I am involved at many levels in the company thanks to a passion for the sport that keeps me going. In particular, it makes me happy to share my skills with up-and-comers."
Will there be a chance to see you in some premier class rounds as a wild card?
"I don't think so because the new regulations prohibit it since we won the last races in 2024 and also won the first ones in the new World Championship. The only possibility is to substitute someone, but this is a path I don't like very much, as you take over in a context where the incumbent has had problems or is injured, so it's never good. By now I've come to terms with it although I'm a little disappointed because my three appearances were an opportunity to try to progress on a personal level and improve the bike so I could stay at a good level, but the rules dictate otherwise. Overall, however, I am happy because it means that Ducati continues to dominate and that we are finally reaping the benefits of the work that started a long time ago."
Lately the task of wild cards seems to have become more complicated. Emerging is not easy at all.
"Even though it's been a while since I've participated, I've achieved some satisfaction in the past, often starting ahead of the regular riders and having good races with Top 10 as a minimum goal. It's clear that over the years it has become more difficult. Regarding Ducati specifically, since we can already count on so many bikes on the track, it is impossible to have the full picture compared to when we had to chase the others and maybe I was entrusted with a super-evolved machine. It should be added that today the technical range has narrowed and then, and I'm speaking for myself, not doing as many races anymore is complicated. For example, last year in Barcelona I used a bike I hadn't ridden for a year and a half, and while for everyone that was the last race of the season, for me it was the first. The lack of continuity makes everything more complex. In contrast, when I showed up with my group and my bike I was able to achieve more. Two years ago, in my last GP, I finished in the lead in free practice, started on the third/fourth row and crossed the finish line in the top twelve. Even without being there regularly I always placed in the middle of the group. It's obvious that doing a full championship gives you those two/three tenths that are missing if you are committed to one-off races."
In this MotoGP World Championship Ducati comes in with two fewer bikes, do you think that will be important in the long run?
"I don't feel like things have changed especially because the Desmosedici is really competitive. I'm disappointed I can't see Martin on the Aprilia yet, but Bastianini struggling so much, while in 2024 he was fighting for podiums and victories, makes you realize how strong we are. Jorge still remains an unknown factor."
Did you expect Bagnaia to struggle so much and Marquez to be so strong?
"Pecco has never been a rider capable of giving his all at the beginning of the season. I think it's a characteristic of his, and then the tracks he encountered were not in his favor. We will have to wait a little longer. Marc, for his part, has an incredible talent and desire for redemption, plus he is on the best bike, so he just does what he knows how to do. It's clear that from such a champion you expect him to be able to make so much. The real surprise, on the other hand, is Alex. The closeness of his brother and having the same bike available helped him take that extra step forward, plus he was immediately comfortable with the GP24. In any case, I think Pecco will be back in the game soon. It's clear that Marc to date has all the right cards to stay in front the entire championship."
Bagnaia himself did not rule out a return to the GP24 with which he felt more in tune...
"Between the two bikes actually there is no big difference. In my opinion right now it is important to give him the serenity he needs and help him regain the feeling he would like. His level may be higher, but as is so often the case, it is taking him a little longer to find the confidence he needs."
So it is not a matter of pressure related to the arrival of the champion from Cervera?
"To say that he has not suffered from Marc's presence is a big word. Marquez is indeed one of the most uncomfortable teammates that you can have, however, Pecco has all the talent to be able to beat him and get close. Of course, immediately achieving four wins is something that is not easy to handle, especially because of the resonance given by the media. He, however, has all the useful qualities in addition to Ducati's support to come out on top. I am convinced that within a few GPs we will see him up to scratch and competitive to fight for the win."
