Triumphant Return: Michele Pirro Clinches Seventh Italian Superbike Title Amidst Rival’s Absence

Michele Pirro wins his seventh Italian Superbike championship

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

Michele Pirro, the designated test rider for Ducati Corse’s MotoGP and WorldSBK teams, has clinched his seventh title in the CIV Italian Superbike Championship.

Pirro, who competes for the Barni Ducati team which includes Danilo Petrucci in the World Superbike Championship and Yari Montella in the World Supersport Championship, secured the championship last weekend at Mugello.

Pirro secured his seventh championship in the CIV Superbike category, adding to his earlier victories in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. This win also marked his 10th overall championship in the CIV series, which includes titles in Superstock 1000 from 2007 and 2008, as well as a Supersport title from 2009.

This count places Pirro as the third highest in the history of CIV championships, following Tarquinio Provini with 11 titles and Giacomo Agostini, who holds 16 titles. Agostini notably secured 10 consecutive 500cc championships from 1968 to 1977.

The title follows the contentious conclusion of the 2023 CIV Superbike season at Imola. In the final moments, Lorenzo Zanetti, Pirro's competitor for the championship, collided with Pirro at the Variante Bassa, causing Pirro to crash. This incident resulted in Zanetti claiming the championship, making Pirro a seven-time Superbike Champion.

Interestingly, Zanetti chose not to compete for his CIV title this year. Instead, he has been participating in the IDM German Superbike Championship. Zanetti began his IDM season triumphantly with a victory in the opening race at Sachsenring. However, his only other podium finish was in the second race of the latest round at Nurburgring. Meanwhile, Ilya Mikhalchik has dominated the competition, securing his fourth IDM Superbike championship this year.

During Zanetti's time away, Pirro has had an outstanding season. Out of ten races over five rounds, Pirro, donning the #51, has secured seven victories. Alessandro Delbianco claimed a win when Pirro didn't complete Race 1 in the initial Mugello round, and another when Pirro placed fourth in Race 2 of the second Misano round. Most recently, Luca Bernardi triumphed in Race 2 at Mugello last weekend, while Pirro's performance in that race sealed the championship title for him.

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

Photo courtesy of Ducati Corse/X.

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