The rumors of Max Biaggi wanting to race in next month’s World Superbike round at Monza, have been confirmed by Dorna’s World Superbike representative Gregorio Lavilla.
According to an interview published in Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport Lavillia revealed that the Roman Emperor has in fact requested a wildcard entry: “Biaggi has asked us for a wild card entry for Monza and of course we would be very happy action to see the reigning World champion back in action in Italy and in the most fascinating event of the entire calendar.
The only seemingly open question that remains is who is behind Biaggi wildcard entry, and what bike and team will the Italian race for.
Speculation is open that it may be Kawasaki as Biaggi did the special promo event for Pirelli on the aircraft carrier wearing his old Aprilia leathers, but he was riding a Kawasaki, while others are saying that it will be his old Aprilia team, as Gigi dall’Igna has said there will always be a RSV4 for their most winningest rider.
However a spokesperson for the Italian marque told the Gazzetta, “We’ve won 2 races out of 4 and have 7 podiums out of 9, with riders that cost a tenth of what Biaggi’s costs.
” Which is not a very politically correct statement regarding someone who brought five world titles to their doorstep.
Another hypothesis is with Francis Batta and his Ducati Alstare team.
Biaggi and Batta go way back, and it was the Belgium manager who convinced the Roman Emperor to try his luck in World Superbikes and he said he would be happy to have Biaggi onboard.
“Biaggi? I’d scoop him up immediately.
We could let him become a test rider.
His experience would be very useful in developing the new Panigale.
And I’d like to see him in 3 or 4 races.
Biaggi has the same charisma as Valentino Rossi, Biaggi as a test rider would be more newsworthy than anyone racing in the championship.
We guess we won’t have to wait very long as the Monza round (May 12) is just around the corner, or hope that someone will be able to wring out something more from Biaggi when he’s sitting in Sportmediaset’s booth commenting this weekend’s Assen round.