Last September it was announced that Max Biaggi would be replacing Troy Corser and riding for Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra in the World Superbike series, who would have thought it! Nearly a year on, Max is second in the series and just 43 points behind series leader James Toseland, and looking like a strong contender for the title. Max’s performance has been consistent from the start of the season with eleven podium places, including two race wins, four second places, five third places and three fastest laps.
After losing his Yamaha ride in MotoGP to arch rival Valentino Rossi at the end of 2005, Max took a year out of professional racing and did some serious soul searching, it was even thought that he would retire from racing in Superbike all together! His return this year to racing has been somewhat of a surprise to many; it actually looks like Max is actually enjoying himself too. You would have never thought that this was the same man who was in the MotoGP paddock just two years ago; he seems like a changed man!
This weekend especially is going to be another tough challenge for Max, having never raced at Brands Hatch circuit in his life. Having arrived at the Kent circuit on Thursday, Max will only get a total of four hours and 20 minutes out on track before the races on Sunday, and also knowing that the other three top contenders Toseland, Bayliss and Haga are super fast and very comfortable here.
Foxy caught up with Max on Friday to find out how confident he’s feeling about this weekend’s races and to see what has made him such a changed man...
Foxy: Hi Max, thanks for taking the time out for this interview with us...
You’re second in the championship Max and only 43 points behind James Toseland; did you think that you would be here at the beginning of the season?
Max: Well honestly, that was my target and I have really put all of my hope there, but firstly, to be second is not really the best position but you know, number one is the nicest position you can have... but of course, this is year number one, new bike, new machine, new track, many things new and I am very pleased with my result right now, but there is more to go and I am looking forward.
Foxy: You have never raced at Brands Hatch before; how do you think you’re going to get on here this weekend?
Max: Well, it’s brand new... but for me, I know I only have two hours to learn the track from Friday to Saturday, then qualifying and super-pole. Of course race one will also be a bit of learning, and then race two, I think I can be ready to fight for a good position.
Foxy: Many people say it’s a very technical circuit, have you spoken to any of the other racers about it?
Max: Errr no, not really. Everybody put’s their head down and thinks about their own thing and their own stuff, that’s what I’ll do of course. I’ll try to learn the tricky corners of the track, it’s up and downs, it’s a very particular track. I thought Laguna Seca was one of the most challenging, but here for sure is even more.
Foxy: How long did it take you to learn how to get the most out of your production-based bike at the start of the year? Do you think you can still get more out of it?
Max: Well of course we have been increasing and improving from the beginning of the season until now. This is a production bike, but we have a chance to tune many parts you know, and these parts can make a difference on horse-power and ride-ability. So, I think we are at a good level, but still I think we can get a little bit more out of it.
Foxy: What do you think is the hardest thing about coming from MotoGP to World Superbike? Is the travel, team or machinery the is much different considering its all still bike racing?
Max: Well, two wheels here is the same as MotoGP. Of course the production machine is much more heavier bike than MotoGP and a single make of the tyres and you have very little choice of tyres. But the strangest feeling is to jump from ten years of MotoGP to this bike is the tyre and the weight of the machine.
Foxy: So there is that much difference in the weight?
Max: Yes, that’s the most different.
Foxy: If you could bring one or two things from MotoGP to WSB, what would they be, rules, people or technology?
Max: Ha ha ha, of course MotoGP is another championship. If you take technology, it’s not World Superbike anymore, these are based on production machines and the rules are that you can only make so many changes. So it makes the level of the performance very similar to the others, that’s why Superbike is much more competitive than anyone else on two wheels.
Foxy: Have you had the Suzuki developed to your liking since joining the team? What changes have you made, and have you asked for any more?
Max: Well of course I’m not asking for too much, again because that championship rules restrict you to make so many changes. The only thing I’ll be asking is to have a more constant regular engine-break, which is important for this kind of machine. Sometimes it is coming better, and sometimes it takes more time, but that is what we are really focusing on.
Foxy: You’ve become a well-liked character already in WSB with many a big smile seen on your face, but this has been in contrast to a reputation that has preceded you in MotoGP. You almost seem to be a different person now, what do you think has changed?
Max: Well it’s again, when you enjoy riding, enjoy people and enjoy the area where you are; of course you are much happier that you were before you know. I feel like I’m much more myself here, the pressure is a little bit less compared to MotoGP, but here’s more... how do you say, erm... you can live more easier. I feel that the competition is very high, even though I am a rookie in this championship, I see that every time I do something that I like and I enjoy, I smile. Every time I come back with a smile on my face it means good news.
Foxy: You took a year out of professional racing. What do you think this has done you for mentally and personally?
Max: I just know that for me it was a long time, for me I was counting the days and it never, never ended you know. To take a year off was not the easiest choice for me, but I did that only because I didn’t find something that would make me want to carry on in the championship that I was before. It was my choice to stop and of course it was a very painful choice, but now I’m back on Superbike. I take this package and I make all of the changes for the challenge, tyres, bike, rider, and track. I change everything; this is the biggest challenge of my life.
Foxy: Do you plan on staying in WSB to get or defend the title? Or perhaps you’re looking for a path back into MotoGP?
Max: Well of course, I can say clear that the championship will give me so much happiness and I like very much competing in this championship and I’m enjoying. To change again is not my goal and you can always try to improve your situation, but I like this championship and I have to say that I like to race in Italy and England and international. I have to say that I love it.
Foxy: Thank-you for your time Max. Everyone at Londonbikers would like to wish you the best of luck this weekend at Brands Hatch and for the remainder of the season! Hopefully we’ll see you after the races...
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