40 years for number 46 could not leave indifferent the one who wore number 3... And who has eight more. This is a Max Biaggi who was the first great rival that Valentino Rossi had to compete in the premier category of the Grands Prix. There was also national supremacy to be had between them. There were clashes, but fortunately no misfortunes. The peace of the brave was signed and now memories remain.
The Corsair and the Doctor had trouble, but their jousts and their escapades are now part of the legend of the Grands Prix. As Vale celebrates its 40th birthday, the Roman emperor looks back on his campaigns: “ I saw that Valentino had placed me at the top of its rivals. I'm delighted, because together we fought some great battles and, in a way, wrote a great story of rivalry. I was eight years older than him so he's now kind of in the same situation I was in ».
He adds : " As you mature, some things seem clearer than they were at the time. Looking back, I wouldn't change anything, I would do what I did again. But I would probably do it differently. Maybe I should have behaved differently. I have always been tough, and, in a certain sense, pure. I thought the bike and my team were enough. But it's not quite like that. Maybe if it happened today I would act differently ».
Public chat GP One, he ends with this memory that torments him again and again: “ in Welkom, in 2004, in South Africa, I chose the wrong tactic. I didn't know how many rounds were left. When I saw the checkered flag I felt bad because I thought there was still one lap left. I had just achieved the best in the race and I could do it again for one more lap. I still think about it today. But races are like that ».
When we know the importance that this first Yamaha victory had for Red, we see that destiny hangs by a thread...
