WSS: Ten Kate Honda signs Pirro

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda has confirmed it will enter Italian champion Michele Pirro in the 2010 World Supersport Championship.

The 23-year-old, from San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, ran dual campaigns in the Italian and WSS series last year, finishing 12th in the latter having accrued a string of top-ten finishes. He had a best placing of sixth in the final round at Portimao.

Pirro has had an impressive career so far, winning the European 125cc championship in 2004 and the Italian Superstock championship in 2007 and 2008, before clinching the Italian Supersport crown last year.

He will now get the chance to ride Ten Kate’s Honda CBR600RR after impressing team manager Ronald ten Kate with his performances on the world stage for the Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha team this year and during a test in Portugal at the end of the season.

“We’re very happy with our signing of Michele, who has already shown that he has great speed,” ten Kate said.

“He is also a young rider and we hope to realise his full potential and guide him through the next steps of his career.

“His impressive test at Portimao made the choice quite easy and we strongly believe that a team with Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro will put us in a good position to win back our World Supersport title.”

After dominating the Italian series, taking four wins from the six rounds, Pirro is looking forward to concentrating on WSS next year.

“I’m very happy for the opportunity that has been given to me by the Ten Kate team and by Honda,” he said.

“It is amazing and fascinating to know that next year I will be able to compete with the best World Supersport riders thanks to this high-level team and Honda’s CBR600RR.

“I’m really excited about next season – I have some important goals and I think I am in a position to reach them. I will try to give back some great results to the Ten Kate team, Honda, my management and all the sponsors who have had such faith in me in recent years.”

Watch the World Supersport Championship on Motors TV.


Andy Wilkinson