Francesco Pileri Developing An Electric Moto3 Racer
Electric Moto3 racer to take part in both CEV and CIV championships
A fixture in the Grand Prix paddock for more than 40 years, Francesco Pileri helped many of the sport’s legends get their start. Riders who have worked with Pileri include the likes of Angel Nieto, Fausto Gresini, Paolo Casoli, Loris Capirossi, and Alex Barros, just to name a few.
These days, according to Italian publication MotoSprint, Pileri is looking to forge the next generation of Grand Prix racing; except this time he’s turning his attention to the machine rather than the rider. It’s being reported that Pileri is developing an electric Moto3 racer to take part in a new electric Moto3 class in both the CEV and CIV championships as early as 2018 (the lead photo above is a rendering of what the bike would look like). Details about the motorcycle haven’t been released yet, but Pileri says the machine will make its official debut in August, where we expect to know more. Pileri’s partners in the project are expected to be unveiled at that time, too.
While not confirmed, MotoSprint reports indicate Pileri is partnering with Indian scooter, motorcycle and moped manufacturer, Indian Kinetic, as well as Majestic Auto Limited, an Indian manufacturer of components for both two and four wheels. Crucially, Majestic Auto Limited also produces electric motors. Pileri is also in talks with a third partner, SWM, another motorcycle manufacturer, to produce the Moto3 racers in the former Husqvarna plant in Varese, Italy. Only 50 of the electric Moto3 bikes will be produced, with half going to the CEV championship and the rest going to CIV.
Keep it here, as we’ll post more information about the electric Pileri Moto3 as it emerges.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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Based on the headline, I thought (perhaps hoped) that the electric bikes would race against ICE Moto 3 bikes. But the text says, "...a new electric Moto3 class..."
That was a dirty trick, Trizzle.