Former two-time World Champion (125cc and 250cc) Manuel Poggiali was considered a racing prodigy and the direct heir of Valentino Rossi, until he decided to retire at the age of 25, unable to continue because of the pressures of racing and his belief that he wasn’t as mentally strong (he described himself as fragile) as his rivals, which then slowly led to lack of motivation and passion.
Poggiali retired and has done other jobs, including tending bar, while he teaches safe riding and is also involved in the San Marino Olympic committee and played soccer for the San Marino team in the UEFA European Futsal league.
Apparently the Sammarinese still feels the urge to do something more constructive as he is now looking to become a test rider for some MotoGP team, as he recently told Italian website infomotogp.
com.
“I’d like to return, but as a test rider.
I’m physically fit and I still feel fast and suitable for the big bikes, so my goal is MotoGP.
In the coming year’s I’m sure that there are many manufacturers and teams that could use my help.
From prototypes to CRTs, I’m sure I can do a good job”.
Instead who could get a role as a test and replacement rider for Ducati is Michele Pirro.
The Gresini rider recently spent three days testing the Desmosedici GP12 at Mugello with Andrea Iannone (who will debut with Pramac Ducati’s Junior Team next season).
According to the usual Italian grapevine, Pirro was actually faster than Iannone on the first two days (which were hampered by rain) and on the third, didn’t get the chance to use the soft tire that allowed Iannone to post that much talked about lap time.
Team manager Vittoriano Guareschi was pretty impressed by Pirro and it seems that Ducati has offered him a job as test rider, along with tempting him with a few 2013 MotoGP and WSBK races to take part in with factory machinery.
Pirro who isn’t that satisfied racing a CRT machine, is currently 16th in the standings.