Sometimes Max Biaggi can be his own worst enemy.
Every rider can have a bad weekend, but the Donington Park round revealed a very nervous and erratic Roman Emperor.
Not only did he get into a handbag fight with Marco Melandri, that even his staunchist supporters found hard to defend, but he picked up a penalty for the jump start in race 2 and then didn’t pull in for the ride through (Guintoli did the same last year at Magny Cours) and was black flagged.
“I realized that I had moved on the grid,” said Biaggi.
“So I was well aware that my race had been compromised.
I tried to push right away to recover, but I lost my concentration because of that mistake, losing several positions.
Unfortunately I didn’t see the boards – when you’re in the pack that can happen.
I’m extremely sorry for the Team, two results below expectations that must not ruin the good that has been done thus far.
To the contrary, this is the time when we need to be united, learning even from these bad days.
The season is long, we’ll have the opportunity to make amends”.
Unbelievable was one of the Aprilia techs who speaking to a pitlane reporter of the LA7 network after Biaggi pulled in, who said that the Italian was probably expecting not to get a ride through for his jump start, but a position penalty at the end of the race.
As if we’re that gullible.
Biaggi has now dropped down to fourth after round 2 and is now 42 points adrift from Carlos Checa who leads in the general standings.