Pirro steps up for Ten Kate in 2010
Now 23, Pirro, from San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, had a successful test of the Honda in the post season Portimao sessions, after finishing 12th in the 2009 series. He scored pole at Misano in June of this year, taking a best race finish of sixth in the final round at Portimao in Portugal.
European 125cc champion in 2004, he did 125 GPs for two years, then moved to the Italian Superstock 1000 series, which he won in both 2007 and 2008. He also won four from six races in the Italian Supersport championship in 2009, competing in parallel to his WSS commitments.
Said Pirro, "I'm very happy for the opportunity that has been given to me by the Ten Kate team and by Honda. 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."
Ronald ten Kate, eponymous team manager of the Dutch-based squad, said, "We're very happy with our signing of Michele, who has already shown that he has great speed. 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."
Ten Kate are legendary within the WSS paddock for taking riders with potential, or even riders on a down swing in their careers, and bringing out the best in them. Ten Kate has won seven of the last eight WSS Riders' Championships.
