Max Biaggi lost a bag of points during the last round at Silverstone, but the Roman Emperor continues to lead the championship heading into round eleven, when the World Superbike championship debuts for the first time at the Moscow Raceway on August 24-26 (both Effenbert Liberty and Grillini Progea teams will be skipping the round – Liberty, because they can’t afford the long haul and Grillini’s Norino Brignola fractured his right collarbone during Race 1 at Silverstone).
Biaggi turned 41 this year, and confessed he has no intention of retiring any time soon and despite having received offers from other teams, Aprilia still remains his first choice, even if the Italian manufacturer seems to be dragging its heels in renewing his contract.
“I’d like to finish my career with them.
It’s the mutual respect and affection that ties me to them.
You can’t forget that we won four World championships together, but there are a lot variables in play, but the economic aspect isn’t that important,” said Biaggi in a recent interview with the Gazzzetta dello Sport.
“I haven’t even thought of stopping even a second, continuing is an absolute certainity,” and when asked if it was true that he even received an offer to return to MotoGP, Biaggi remained tight lipped and said, “Some things must remain secret.
Just like who you vote for.
” World Superbike’s 2013 silly season has linked the Italian to Kawasaki and to riding Ducati’s 1199 Panigale that will debut next season in the championship, but Biaggi shot down any idea of his getting back at the helm of a Ducati (he was passed over for a factory ride in 2009 despite having an option – Davide Tardozzi perferred continuing with Michele Fabrizio and picked Noriyuki Haga to replace Troy Bayliss) “Ducati is definitely not in my plans.
If I continue to race an Italian marque it will be Aprilia.
” However the Roman Emperor who is just 10.
5 points ahead of Marco Melandri sent a message to his team saying, “BMW has caught us a little off guard and Aprilia can’t forget that to win, it can’t stop progressing.
” Naturally Biaggi was asked about his historic arch rival Valentino Rossi’s decision to return to Yamaha after his two dismal seasons with Ducati, “It’s bad when a champion fails, and I don’t know what the future will hold for him, but I do wish him the best of luck.
” He was also asked if Rossi has the possibility of returning to the top, “Will he be great again? I have no idea, but he’s lucky because next year Casey Stoner won’t be there and he’s already taken off one big problem even before starting.
