Michele Pirro Clinches Record Seventh CIV Italian Superbike Title with Dominant Season

Michele Pirro clinches his seventh Italian Superbike championship

Michele Pirro, who tests bikes for Ducati's MotoGP team, has added another CIV Italian Superbike title to his collection.

Michele Pirro, who serves as the primary test rider for Ducati Corse’s MotoGP and WorldSBK teams, has claimed his seventh championship in the CIV Italian Superbike series.

Michele Pirro, representing the Barni Ducati squad which also includes Danilo Petrucci in World Superbike (WorldSBK) and Yari Montella in World Supersport (WorldSSP), clinched the championship last weekend at Mugello.

Pirro clinched his seventh championship in the CIV Superbike category, adding to his previous victories in 2015, from 2016 through 2019, and in 2021 and 2022. This accomplishment marks his 10th overall title in the CIV series, which includes his Superstock 1000 championships in 2007 and 2008, as well as a Supersport title in 2009.

This count ranks Pirro as third in the history of CIV titles, trailing Tarquinio Provini with 11 titles and Giacomo Agostini who holds 16 titles. Agostini achieved 10 consecutive 500cc titles from 1968 to 1977.

The championship follows a contentious conclusion to the 2023 CIV Superbike season at Imola, where a collision occurred between Pirro and his title competitor, Lorenzo Zanetti, in the Variante Bassa. This incident caused Pirro, now a seven-time Superbike Champion, to crash, allowing Zanetti to clinch the title.

Zanetti opted not to compete for his CIV title this year, choosing instead to participate in the IDM German Superbike Championship. He began the IDM season on a high note with a victory in the opening race at the Sachsenring. However, his only other podium finish came in the second race of the latest round at the Nurburgring. Meanwhile, Ilya Mikhalchik has dominated the competition, securing his fourth IDM Superbike championship this year.

Zanetti has been missing during a remarkable season for Pirro. In five rounds, Pirro, riding the #51, has secured victories in seven out of ten races. Alessandro Delbianco claimed a win when Pirro didn't finish the first race at the initial Mugello round and also when Pirro placed fourth in the second race at the second Misano round. Luca Bernardi emerged victorious in the second race at Mugello last weekend, where Pirro sealed the championship title.

The concluding round of the 2024 CIV Superbike championship is scheduled for September 27–29 at Imola.

Photo courtesy of Ducati Corse/X.

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