MotoGP Max Biaggi defies fear: on track at the scene of the terrible accident

Max Biaggi is back on the “Il Sagittario” circuit in Latina, five years after the terrible accident with the Aprilia SM.

About Luigi Ciamburro de Motoracing

Max Biaggi is fast on the track and strong against the ghosts of the past. After the 2022 MotoGP season, the Corsair has decided to return to challenge the “Sagittarius International Circuit”. A highly symbolic and non-random choice, after the terrible accident he experienced on June 9, 2017 in which he suffered multiple fractures and head trauma, requiring him to be hospitalized for a few weeks. Shortly after, he decided to retire from competition for good, but in reality the Roman champion could never stay away from the tracks and his two wheels.

This June 9, Max Biaggi was riding his Aprilia Supermotard with the aim of participating in a race in the Italian SM championship. He had long retired from professional racing, but on the Lazio circuit he suffered the worst injury of his career, at a surreal speed of 40 km/h. The handlebars inflicted a hard blow on his chest causing him to fracture 12 ribs and a serious lung problem which required admission to surgery on two occasions. 18 long days were spent in the intensive care unit, with his then girlfriend Bianca Atzei by his side, until he left the San Camillo in Rome on his 46th birthday (June 26) .

Although Max Biaggi promised his father that he would never ride a motorcycle again from that day on, it was difficult to keep his word. He did not hesitate to reconnect with speed and adrenaline by establishing the speed record in Florida, aboard the Voxan wattman electric reaching 470 km/h on a space launch pad. Five years after the accident of the 'Sagittarius' which almost ended his life, he decided to overcome his fears and resume piloting the same Aprilia on the same circuit.

Max Biaggi: “ I wanted to return to the scene of the accident, to try to exorcise this terrible moment« 

It's difficult to describe certain emotions, even for a six-time world champion. “ As soon as I walked through the circuit gate, in an instant I was teleported to the past – tells the Corsair on social networks -. I went to the garage and opened the shutter! You guys won't believe this, but time stopped there. Motorcycles on the trestles, helmets on the table, next to gloves and overalls on the chair. Just the combination teleported me this June 9, 2017 ».

We think of the suit from the time torn by the scissors of the San Camillo doctors. For a pilot, the suit is a second skin and seeing it reduced to this state had a strong impact on the spirit of biaggi.

The six-time champion rode on a wet track and started very cautiously, gradually increasing the pace on his supermoto. A hundred laps were done in two days: “ I rode different bikes and brought my two twin-cylinder Aprilia SXV 450s back to the track. Guys, let me tell you that the sound of this twin-cylinder is heavenly music. There is no such thing, nothing! It was a good flashback. I wanted to return to the scene of the accident, to try to exorcise this terrible moment – concluded Max –and have fun again, doing what I love deeply, forever! ».