Pirro: Ducati’s Voice on Márquez’s Return and the Team’s Future

Published by admin on 10.01.202610.01.2026

Michele Pirro, the veteran test rider for the Ducati MotoGP team, has recently offered statements that reflect the atmosphere and expectations within the Italian factory following Marc Márquez’s gradual return to preseason testing and the brand’s development work.

Pirro, a key figure in the development of the Borgo Panigale machines for more than a decade, was present at the winter tests where Márquez completed his first laps since suffering a right shoulder injury that kept him out of competition for several weeks. The Spanish rider’s impressions were positive, and Pirro noted that Márquez showed good pace and strong feeling on track.

“Marc looked good, enjoying his laps and feeling comfortable on the bike. We could see that he enjoyed riding, and that is always a positive sign for what’s to come,” Pirro explained after the joint test sessions in Valencia.

Following a historic 2025 season for the Spaniard, in which he was crowned MotoGP World Champion with Ducati, Márquez’s importance to the project remains central. His adaptation to the Ducati Desmosedici GP25 was key in a dominant campaign, during which the Spanish rider set new performance standards in the premier class.

Pirro also took the opportunity to highlight another important aspect of Ducati’s work: the development of different motorcycle platforms. During the tests, both he and Márquez worked with a Ducati V2, a bike more oriented toward training and safety on certain circuits, which according to Pirro represents an interesting balance between performance and technical accessibility, especially on tracks with limited run-off areas.

The test rider pointed out that these types of sessions are not only used to assess Márquez’s physical condition after the injury, but also to fine-tune technical details of the bikes—from suspension to overall behavior—ahead of the start of the 2026 season.

In addition, Pirro remains a reference figure within the team, combining his role as a test rider with occasional appearances in Grands Prix when Ducati has required him as a substitute—a role he has fulfilled on several occasions over the past few years.

Now, with preparations for the new season underway, Pirro’s words about Márquez’s progress and Ducati’s technical development will be closely followed by fans, as they reflect the internal pulse of one of MotoGP’s most powerful teams.