Max Biaggi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Massimiliano "Max" Biaggi (born June 26, 1971 in Rome, Italy) is a former motorcycle racer who currently resides in Monaco and in the United States. Biaggi is also known as the Roman Emperor, Mad Max and Panda and is notorious for his difficult relationship with the press, team personnel and other riders.
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[edit] Career
[edit] 125cc
Biaggi was more interested in soccer as a child, but in 1989, after he was given an Aprillia RS125 for his 17th birthday, he started his racing career in the 125cc class at age eighteen. In 1990 he won the Italian Sport Production Championship. After his success in 125cc, Biaggi moved up to the 250cc class.
[edit] 250cc
In 1991, Biaggi became European champion on a 250cc Aprilia, and that same year he finished twenty-seventh in the Grand Prix motorcycle 250cc world championship riding for the same manufacturer. In 1992, Biaggi completed his first entire season in 250cc Grand Prix for Aprilia, and finished the season fifth overall. In that same season he took his first victory in Kyalami, South Africa. The following season, Biaggi joined Honda, and finished fourth in the championship standings, including a single victory in Barcelona. In 1994 he returned to Aprilia and dominated the 250cc Grand Prix championship by winning three consecutive titles in 1994, 1995 and 1996. In 1997, Biaggi again returned to Honda, riding for Erv Kanemoto's team, and won his fourth consecutive title. Following that, he moved on to the 500cc class.
[edit] 500cc
Biaggi made an impressive start in his 500cc debut, qualifying on pole, setting the fastest lap and winning his first race in the 1998 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, riding for the Kanemoto Honda team. He was also victorious at the Czech Republic Grand Prix and finished the season in second place behind the legendary Mick Doohan. Biaggi then joined Yamaha to battle against the dominant Hondas. He finished fourth in 1999, third in 2000, and second in 2001.
[edit] MotoGP
In 2002, Biaggi rode the four-stroke for the first time as development on the new motorcycle remained strong throughout the season. He won in Brno, Czech Republic and Sepang, Malaysia to clinch runner-up in the championship behind rival Valentino Rossi. In 2003, Biaggi finished third in the MotoGP championship after rejoining Honda on the Camel Pramac Pons team. It was expected that Biaggi would be one of the main candidates for the title in 2004, but a crash in Estoril saw his season begin to fade. At the end of the 2004 MotoGP season Biaggi finished the championship in third place, behind Sete Gibernau and series winner, Valentino Rossi.
Biaggi started the 2005 MotoGP season as an official factory Honda rider, joining American racer Nicky Hayden on the Repsol Honda Team with technical director Erv Kanemoto. It was hoped that continued cooperation with Kanemoto and the full factory support from Honda would make Biaggi one of the main title contenders in 2005. However, Biaggi finished the season fifth in the championship with only 173 points (winner Rossi finished with 367).
Biaggi lost his ride for the 2006 season, his position filled by 2005 250cc Grand Prix champion, Dani Pedrosa. He negotiated with Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, however, was unable to land a contract even with the backing of major tobacco sponsor Camel. On January 10, 2006, Biaggi posted on his website that he will not take part in the 2006 MotoGP season and will likely aim for the World Superbike championship. In the 2006 season Biaggi would not race for any motorsport category.
[edit] Formula One
On the January 18, 2006, Biaggi tested the Midland MF1 Formula One racecar at Silverstone. Whether this was a one-off test with MF1 Racing or the first step towards a seat with the team is unknown [1].
[edit] World Superbike
On September 14, 2006, Biaggi announced he had reached an agreement to race the World Superbike championship for Corona Alstare Suzuki in 2007. He plans to begin testing on the GSX-R1000 right away.
[edit] Personal life
Throughout his career, Biaggi is best known for his heated rivalry with compatriot Valentino Rossi and with other riders. In 1997, he was rumored to be dating the supermodel, Naomi Campbell as they were seen boarding the same aircraft separately, this led to insults by Rossi when he appeared on the podium to produce a blonde blow up doll that vaguely resembled Claudia Schiffer to poke fun at the relationship. At the 2001 Spanish GP, the two riders came to blows after the race. They then attempted to keep the fight away from the press but it was soon revealed.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by: Tetsuya Harada |
250cc Motorcycle World Champion 1994-1997 |
Succeeded by: Loris Capirossi |
