Pirro interview with the Ducati rider and tester: MotoGP and Civ career, Academy V2, Simoncelli

Not just tests and races between Civil (the Italian Speed ​​Championship, ed) and the MotoGP: Michele Pirro he is ready to live a new experience. From 2026 it will provide valuable lessons to the pilots of the V2 Future Champ Ducati Academy. The 39-year-old driver from Puglia will be able to draw inspiration from a career full of different emotions. The joy for the 10 Civ titles is indelible. There is no lack of pride among those who contributed to the triumphs of the Borgo Panigale company as testers, working with champions of the caliber of Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Francesco Bagnaia And Marc Marquez. And then a biting sadness also resurfaces when thinking about his friend Marco Simoncelliwho passed away on 23 October 2011 on the Sepang circuit, during the Malaysian Grand Prix. Pirro dedicated his first victory in Moto2 to him, in Valencia, two weeks after the tragedy. Intense memories that still live in the expressive eyes of the Italian driver.

Michele, how are you? How do you evaluate your 2025?
“​First of all I’m fine. I have just returned from two important trips, to Australia and Malaysia. I had to replace poor Marc (Marquez, ed), who was the victim of an accident. After winning the World Cup, there was no need for him. From a pilot’s point of view it’s not great to be in hospital having an operation. But I’m still satisfied with the great season in MotoGP. Marc returned to his levels and this was also possible thanks to Ducati. I’m pleased and proud of it. Pecco (Bagnaia, ed) experienced a positive first part of the championship, but then encountered a series of ups and downs. I am happy and confident. We have found some solutions for him. Then in 2026 we reset and start from scratch. As for my year, I contributed and continue to contribute to the development of the bike. I participated in the Civ, winning a few races and finishing second in the championship. At Eicma we launched the Ducati Future Champ Academy. I think it’s a truly revolutionary and innovative project. Ducati and I believe a lot in young people, giving them equal opportunities with an exclusive format and races in important contexts. This is the case of the Wdw, where all the Ducati riders will be there, but also the Superbike World Championship, the Italian Championship and a stop in Barcelona, ​​in the Junior World Championship. So I think it’s something incredible with a very beautiful bike (the Ducati Panigale V2, ed), which I drove. It felt like I was going back several years. In motorsport, especially at Ducati, it was necessary to start a new path dedicated to young people. It also happens in football.”

Exactly, there are the youth sectors.
“So why not do it on motorbikes too? The idea came from there. We put everything together. There is room for improvement and all things need to be tested. Now we start with the commitment to give everyone the same opportunities from a technical point of view. The dream is to train good motorcyclists and maybe a future world champion from our Academy”.

Could this initiative be defined as a sort of Italian response to the youth championships created in Spain?
“In recent years, we Italians have always suffered a bit from the Spanish movement. We also benefited from it because many Iberian riders then raced for Ducati. But I, the Italian Federation and Ducati itself couldn’t stand by and watch any longer. We also needed time and the right bike. Now we have both conditions. The Panigale V2 has the ideal elements, also looking at the physical appearance of the new riders. Young people are increasingly taller and heavier. For this reason it is not easy to put them on bikes I have experienced a similar situation in my career: when I was younger, there were more short riders. And then we saw 18 or 19 year olds going strong. Just look at Aldeguer, who is 20 years old and is already a protagonist in MotoGP.

As a Ducati tester, how great is the satisfaction of having brought a smile back to two riders like Bulega and Marquez, who seemed a little lost without the Italian company.
“It’s an aspect that makes you proud. Leaving aside those who see things as fans, you have to be happy if you think that two champions of that level wanted Ducati to have fun again. All this makes those who worked for this happy, but also all motorsport lovers. Burning out similar talents, from a sporting point of view, hurts. Ducati has had this merit and we must give them credit for it.”

Given your role, you have had the opportunity to work together with several high-level pilots. Were you particularly impressed by any of these?
“I have been with Ducati since the end of 2012 and all the champions have their own characteristics. I remember positive and negative aspects of each one. Overall I had to put my career aside. I would have liked to have done a few complete seasons as a rider in the MotoGP. This is the negative side. The positive part, however, concerns the 360° experience gained by comparing myself with very champions. It is something unique and priceless. I bring with me a great deal of baggage. I believe I can use it in the Academy project to bring together the best of what needs to be done.”

Do you remember a funny anecdote about the champions you worked with?
“I saw everything, from Lorenzo to Dovizioso, passing through Stoner. Casey, then, was an incredible talent. At Phillip Island he was impressive. I remember when, once, he explained how to interpret a corner to Lorenzo and Dovizioso, as well as to me. He wasn’t saying it to a kid, but to two world champions. Now I’m comparing myself with a new generation, which has its own charm. It’s an evolution that stimulates me to continue.”

How does a tester know how to adapt to different bikes? She succeeds between Civ, Superbike and MotoGP.
“I must say that this allowed us to bring a lot of know-how to the production bikes with Ducati. There was a comparison between racing and production, which started with me because I was doing the Civ in Superbike. In that case the production bike was used. So we also improved the product. It was a perfect combination. I think the spirit influences it, having started when I was young. If I started now, at almost 40 years old, making this match between tires and bikes would be more difficult. Now, for me, it’s almost routine to get on the various bikes. I also tried the Panigale V2. After one or two laps it seemed like a lot friendly. It is the characteristic of the latest Ducatis. This even applies to MotoGP, Nicolò (Bulega, ed). Even kids have to get used to it. It’s a characteristic that I also found in Marquez and Stoner: they have the ability to adapt to any situation immediately. I think it’s important for young people, especially for those who want to get to the MotoGP. For example, I remember the difficulties in Argentina with a track dirty and then wet by the rain. This ease of adaptation is an advantage that can also help when reaching the MotoGP.”

Last question: November 6th marked 14 years since your victory in Valencia, which came after the death of Marco Simoncelli. What is your memory of that day?
“It still gives me shivers sincerely (he gets emotional, ed). It’s a series of emotions. He dusted off a piece of memorabilia for me. I returned from Sepang a few weeks ago… I always carry Marco in my heart. We started racing together in the European 125 Championship. An important part of my career passes through the Gresini team, through Marco’s story. I am left with the memory of a friend, a splendid boy and a great driver.”