**Michele Pirro Clinches Seventh Italian Superbike Title with Dominant Season**

Michele Pirro wins his seventh Italian Superbike championship

Ducati MotoGP test rider Michele Pirro has claimed another CIV Italian Superbike championship.

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

Michele Pirro, competing for the Barni Ducati team—which also includes WorldSBK rider Danilo Petrucci and WorldSSP rider Yari Montella—clinched the championship last weekend at Mugello.

Pirro secured his seventh championship in the CIV Superbike category, adding to his previous victories in 2015, from 2016 to 2019, and in 2021 and 2022. This latest win also marked his 10th overall title in the CIV series, which includes championships in Superstock 1000 in 2007 and 2008, and a Supersport title in 2009.

This count places Pirro third in the historical rankings for CIV championships, trailing only Tarquinio Provini with 11 titles and Giacomo Agostini with 16, the latter of whom secured 10 consecutive 500cc championships from 1968 to 1977.

This title follows the contentious conclusion of the 2023 CIV Superbike season at Imola. During the race, Lorenzo Zanetti, who was competing against Pirro for the championship, collided with Pirro in the Variante Bassa section. This incident caused Pirro to fall, ultimately allowing Zanetti to claim the title.

This year, Zanetti opted not to defend his CIV championship and has been competing in the IDM German Superbike Championship instead. He began the IDM season with a victory in the opening race at the Sachsenring, but his only other podium finish was in the second race of the latest round at the Nurburgring. Meanwhile, Ilya Mikhalchik has dominated the series, securing his fourth IDM Superbike title this year.

Zanetti's absence has aligned with an outstanding season for Pirro. In five rounds, Pirro, wearing #51, has secured victories in seven out of ten races. Alessandro Delbianco claimed a win when Pirro failed to complete Race 1 in the initial Mugello round and when Pirro finished fourth in Race 2 during the second Misano round. Luca Bernardi then took the win in Race 2 at Mugello last weekend, while Pirro secured the championship title.

The concluding race of the 2024 CIV Superbike season is scheduled to be held at Imola from September 27 to 29.

Photo courtesy of Ducati Corse/X.

Discover More

Recent Updates

Recent Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing any part of the text, photos, or drawings in any manner is prohibited.