Pierfrancesco Chili, one of the most experienced World Superbike riders of all-time, has been revealed as Guandalini Racing's new team manager ahead of the 2009 season.
The Italian concern, which last week confirmed a doubling of their efforts in 2009 with the signing of Superstock Champion Brendan Roberts and the retention of Jakub Smrz, will undergo a background reshuffle for the new season in a bid to keep them competitive for what is expected to be a high-quality field.
Since retiring at the end of 2006, Chili, who won 17 races at WSBK level, has been a popular commentator for Italian television, but will now turn his hand to team management in place of Mirco Guandalini.
Overseeing the team's decision to enter two privateer Ducatis in 2009, Chili is delighted to be joining Guanadalini Racing after admitting commentating wasn't fulfilling his motivation to remain involved with the sport.
"I am happy to join the Guandalini Racing team. I've been working with them in their team headquarters for some time now. Commentating on what the others were doing wasn't entirely satisfactory for someone like me, I prefer to be involved in things directly and I find this job really stimulating.”
Chili's influence is already being felt after he joined the team last month, with Guandalini admitting his arrival will give the team vital exposure.
"Pierfrancesco has been working with us for a month now. I am not in a position to deal with all the team's sporting activity so we thought of appointing someone with considerable experience in racing. The arrival of a person of the calibre of Chili will certainly help to improve the image and the prestige of our team.”
Chili's racing career spanned the 250cc and 500cc World Championships before he enjoyed the majority of his success at WSBK level, entering a total of 276 races.
