Michele Pirro replaces Carlos Checa in WSBK at Magny-Cours
Niccolo Canepa resuming service this weekend in his 1199 Panigale Superstock, Michele Pirro will replace Carlos Checa for the French World Superbike event at Magny-Cours. Also note, the presence of an 1198… and the 899 !
Time difference with California obliges, only the night owls – and the readers of MNC – could appreciate the ardor of Niccolo Canepa at the controls of the 1199 Panigale de Checa (package for the rest of the season, read). But this weekend, the n ° 59 returns to its Superstock category…
Italian’s mission – and he accepted it! – is to deprive our compatriot Sylvain Barrier of a second STK 1000 title … But with his seven podiums including five victories in eight races (!), the French n ° 1 has a comfortable lead of 40 points to two trials of the end !
The Alstare team therefore had to find another replacement for Carlos Checa for Magny-Cours and – quite logically – called on another Ducati test rider: Michele Pirro, who played most of the MotoGP championship on the Desmosedici by Ben "Pas de Bol" Spies !
Pirro, from GP13 to Panigale
"It’s an important year for me since I made my debut in MotoGP (however, he drove in the "CRT" category at Honda Gresini in 2012, Editor’s note) and now in Superbike", realizes Pirro who took advantage of private testing at Mugello to make a few laps on the handlebars of the Ducati 1199 Superbike.
"It was my first time riding a Superbike and I’m happy because it went well, although it’s hard to assess because it’s always easier when you’re alone on the track", recognizes the driver who was to drive this year only solo on the laborious GP13" laboratory ".
"I am still confident and convinced that we can sign a good result", believes the Ducati guinea pig."Everything will be new to me, the bike, the brakes, the tires, but I think that by being determined and with the help of a professional team, we can do a good job and find a good feeling"
"The important thing is to always give your all", sums up Michele. It is precisely this method that Canepa used to clinch fourth place on the Laguna Seca grid! The results were less convincing in the race: double crash but a small point all the same. Pirro must be able to better make !
The penultimate round of the World Superbike will be contested this weekend at Magny-Cours by another unexpected Italian duo: Lorenzo Lanzi and an 1198RS prepared by the Mesaroli Racing team! It will be interesting to compare the level of an "old" Ducati driven by one with those of the new Panigale…
"During the season, I had other opportunities but not as exciting as this one. This team was created by enthusiasts who want to run at the highest level. In the meantime, I continued to train, I’m in great shape and ready to run", warns Lanzi. The n ° 57 will therefore be one to watch closely !
The 1198 and 899 at Magny-Cours too !
Finally, Ducati announces the presence of a third model: "Freshly arrived from the factory in Borgo Panigale, the historic district where the factory is located, the 899 Panigale will be on French soil for the first time and presented exclusively to its favorite audience during this weekend" !
If there is no question of seeing the little sister of the 1199 Panigale take the start of the Supersport race – it is not homologated! – nor do a few demonstration laps on the circuit, the Italians are however organizing "a large competition reserved exclusively for spectators of the event"…
Among the winners, "one or one lucky woman will win, among other things, a Ducati driving day on the 899 Panigale circuit (Desmotrack 2014), with Regis Laconi as privileged instructor, also present during this event at the WSBK". Rather tempting no? So, to your newsletters … and stay tuned !
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