There are lap times that tell a story far more than a simple timesheet. The one achieved by Max Biaggi during the private MotoGP tests held in Barcelona undoubtedly falls into this category. Seeing a former world champion lap fast is nothing exceptional. But seeing a 55-year-old complete 123 laps in two days on a production-derived superbike and finish just over four seconds behind the future 850cc MotoGP bikes borders on sporting audacity. Once again, the "Corsair" has reminded us that some riders definitely don't age like everyone else.
These tests, held at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, were nevertheless dedicated to the future of MotoGP. Manufacturers were already working on the technical revolution of 2027 with their 850cc prototypes fitted with the future tires. Pirelli.
Ducati had sent Nicolò Bulega, KTM Dani Pedrosa, Honda Takaaki Nakagami et Aprilia Lorenzo Savadori to continue developing the machines that will write the next chapter of MotoGP. And then, amidst all these factory prototypes, appeared Max BiaggiNot on a MotoGP bike. Not on an official prototype. But on a Aprilia RSV4.
The six-time world champion had clearly not come to put on a show for a few photographers. For two days, biaggi He completed lap after lap with a simple objective: to drive fast. Very fast indeed.
In total, the Italian has traveled 123 towers of the Catalan circuit before signing an impressive 1'44 "A time that puts him just over four and a half seconds behind the future 2027 MotoGP bikes. 55 years. On a production-derived motorcycle.
Max Biaggi defies the passage of time with a stopwatch
An exceptional motorcycle… but it remains a road bike. Certainly, the Aprilia RSV4 It no longer has much in common with a conventional sports car. Produced in only dix of the few examples in the world, it probably represents the closest thing to a homologated competition machine for very wealthy clients.
V4 de 1 cc developed 225 horsepower thanks to an impressive catalog of parts sourced from Superbike and even MotoGP: specific camshafts, Magneti Marelli mapping, optimized intake, and an Akrapovic titanium and carbon exhaust. The chassis is equally impressive with Öhlins NIX suspension, Brembo GP4-MS brakes directly inspired by Superbike, and forged magnesium Marchesini wheels. All for just 165 kg dry.
Up front, the manufacturers are continuing their development work towards the new 2027 MotoGP with particularly encouraging results. Nicholas Bulega set the fastest time in practice 1'39 "232 with the future ducati 850 cc, confirming once again that Borgo Panigale seems particularly serene as the regulatory change approaches.
Dani Pedrosa finished second, just 766 thousandths of a second behind, while Takaaki Nakagami et Lorenzo Savadori They completed a quartet that had been grouped together in less than a second. The future MotoGP prototypes therefore already seem particularly well-developed despite their small engine displacement.
Beyond the stopwatch itself, the performance of Max Biaggi This raises a question about the evolution of modern pilots. MotoGP The current league has become an extremely young league where careers start earlier and sometimes end before the age of 35. Marc Marquez is already considered a veteran at 33 years old.
See a pilot of 55 years The ability to lap within seconds of machines that will represent the world's elite in eighteen months serves as a reminder of a sometimes forgotten reality: talent does not disappear with age. It simply evolves with the accompanying physical capabilities.
biaggi He obviously wouldn't have the physical capacity to compete in a full MotoGP season. But his riding skills, his understanding of the motorcycle, and his ability to exploit a top-level machine remain clearly exceptional.
As if that was not enough, Max Biaggi He doesn't plan to use his Catalan achievement as an excuse for a well-deserved vacation. Next week, he's off to the United States and Laguna Seca.
À 55 yearsSome are seriously considering their future retirement. Max BiaggiHe, however, continues to collect lap times and remind a whole generation of drivers that pure talent has a particularly long lifespan.
Ultimately, perhaps the most impressive thing about this story isn't his 1'44". It's that after more than thirty years in the world of motorcycle racing, Max Biaggi He clearly continues to enjoy going fast. And no birth date can stop him from doing that.