Max Biaggi is divisive, to say the least. His rivalry with Valentino Rossi considerably marked the motorcycle Grands Prix at the beginning of this century, where it was simply impossible to remain indifferent in front of “the privateer”.
There have been some divisive pilots. By the dozen. But Biaggi is in a category of his own, because in addition to having behavior sometimes considered borderline, he was nonetheless a pure talent. For his first full year in the world, 250cc category, he is already impressive. In short ? One victory, four podiums, four poles. This category was his.
He made a name for himself again in 1993, when he moved from Aprilia to Honda, but found three stronger clients: Harada, Capirossi and Reggiani. Only here: you shouldn't piss him off. From 1994 to 1997, he won four titles in a row in the category. Competition does not exist.
In this charmingly grained photo Biaggi appears, ahead of Barros and Okada in 2000 at Donington Park. Statistically, it was one of the Grand Prix which was most successful for him.
Its reference season remains 1995, with 283 points and 8 victories in 13 races, including 9 poles. Just untouchable. For his first race in 500cc, he recorded pole position, best lap in the race and victory. An extremely rare and incredible performance, unmatched since. However, the premier category does not suit him so well. He finished vice-world champion three times in his career, and three times on the third step but without being able to tickle an untouchable Rossi.
Switched to Yamaha, then back to Honda in 2003, not without noise, he retired at the end of the 2005 season, eight years after his arrival in 500cc/MotoGP.
To this day, he remains one of the three drivers to have won the most races without winning the championship, trailing only Pedrosa and Dovizioso with 13 achievements. Later, a second part of his career awaits him in Superbike. At 36, he took the plunge to win two more world champion titles, including one in particular that was quite memorable. : in 2012, he was crowned against Tom Sykes by half a point, at the end of the effort!
The local boy returned to Aprilia in 2009, only to leave Noale in 2012, after his title. At 41, the privateer hangs up his gloves. However, he will come to do some freelance work in 2015, still on behalf of the brand he started, but without result. He was the personification of Italy. Someone frank, hot-blooded, and who led with the heart, a very big heart.
First intended for football, he transposed his “grinta” to the motorcycle Grand Prix, in order to give us a mess of memories. Even if the premier category was not so successful for him, he nonetheless remains one of the best 250cc and Superbike riders in history.
Involved in the development of young guns, he is very present in the paddocks. Today he is boss of the Sterilgarda Max Racing Team in Moto3, which races Arón Canet. The latter is playing the championship in the smallest category and is currently catching up with his direct competitor Lorenzo Dalla Porta, after an impressive victory in Aragón. The young Spaniard can count on Biaggi's experience, which could be decisive at a tense end to the championship.
Furthermore, we often see him alongside Jorge Lorenzo: the five-time world champion also benefits from his valuable advice.
Hated by many but respected by all, it is not without a touch of nostalgia that we remember the Roman emperor. Nostalgia for another era, with a background of blue smoke and a particular smell. Nostalgia for fights in races, and at press conferences or exacerbated Italian-Italian rivalries. We've all railed against Biaggi at one time or another, but deep down, when we think of him, it's impossible not to smile.
Cover photo credits: OZ
