Max is our guy!

[badrags]

May have been posted already:

http://www.visordown.com/motorcyclenews/view/wsb_biaggi_aprilia_deal_done/5559.html

[NeoGeniX]

Hmmm hopefully they won't have a one man team...I want atleast two aprilia's racing in the field!

[meanstrk]

He will ride in a one man Biaggi-Aprilia squad in all-Italian colours

Well, crap. Max can damn sure ride, but he needs to just STFU and stop whining about everything.

[Quickbrit]

You have to think this is "home" to Max...

I hope he does well.

MikeE

[Norrin Radd]

One of the coolest race laps I have ever seen (TV) was Max on an Ape 250 and he was about 3/4 a lap ahead of everyone and after crossing the start/fin line to start the last lap he looked back saw no sign of life behind him and proceeded to loft the front wheel on every straight and into the corners he was already leaning it over on the rear and basically landing the front tire on its side, transitioning from wheelie to full lean turn in one motion. Fun to watch and an amazing display of confidence and control.

He has had some times where things did not go well and it got inside his head but he seems to have matured and has enjoyed riding the WSB (minus the injuries) and its lower stress level.

This will be a great year with Ape, BMW, and KTM(?) coming into the series.
I'm looking forward to it and it should make the trip to Miller even better! :)

[Sal Khan]

Now I'm khanflicted:

Love Aprilia.

Detest Max.

[BrummyMax]

There is nothing wrong with the name Max at all.

[CathanCruz]

Max Biaggi? Great... We will surely find out how well the new bike crashes.
I don't follow wsb, just motogp. how has max done this year on superbikes?

[CBar]

Now I'm khanflicted:

Love Aprilia.

Detest Max.

:plus:

[CathanCruz]

Don't get me wrong, if max is the guy, i hope he does well. I'm also going to follow wsb next year just to watch this bike and whoever may pilot it.

[dougan]

Max is actually a very cool guy. He demands a lot from himself, and his team... and since his move to WSBK, he has become a much more relaxed participant on the race scene.

Frankly... this is exactly what Aprilia needs.... and kudos to them for thinking with both Business and Champions minds. Of the most famous names in racing, Max Biaggi is probably in the Top-3. Love him, or hate him... his presence alone will bring reputation and credibility to the new Aprilia WSBK team.

Needless to say, his experience will have MAJOR contributions in developing the V4 into a highly competitive international platform.

[rx7tt95]

Official announcement from Aprilia:
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080919cu.htm

[RSV Racing]

Agreed, he has changed some since moving to WSK, and turned out to be a lot nicer and looser than before. So, I am exciting to see him on an Aprilia, as he has loads of talent.

:plus:



Max is actually a very cool guy. He demands a lot from himself, and his team... and since his move to WSBK, he has become a much more relaxed participant on the race scene.

Frankly... this is exactly what Aprilia needs.... and kudos to them for thinking with both Business and Champions minds. Of the most famous names in racing, Max Biaggi is probably in the Top-3. Love him, or hate him... his presence alone will bring reputation and credibility to the new Aprilia WSBK team.

Needless to say, his experience will have MAJOR contributions in developing the V4 into a highly competitive international platform.

[Rlhay2]

Now I'm khanflicted:

Love Aprilia.

Detest Max.

Also :plus:


So, I am exciting to see him on an Aprilia, as he has loads of talent.


He has the talent, unfortunately it has been overshadowed by his ego and hubris.

And can Max develop a bike? We all know he can ride one, but can he lead the R&D to improve one?

[Sal Khan]

There's a reason Max is in World Superbike and the likes of Loris Capirossi are still in MotoGP.

I'm not sure how much relaxed he has been since many people in the industry are certain that although he should've been the first natural choice to replace Bayliss, it was blatantly obvious that Max's Napolean complex wouldn't jive well with the way Tardozzi runs his team. Speculation or not, it makes a ton of sense considering his history. Not to mention the fact that in all of his interview this year he doesn't seem like he's changed a bit. The only difference is he doesn't have a "Rossi" to blame everything on, so he has to spread it around.

I'll be routing for the number 2 bike, regardless of who it is. :) :D

[Beau1K]

I think WSBK is just as competitive as MotoGP. Look at Troy Bayliss...gets the wild card in a MotoGP race and WINS the damn thing!!!

[Beau1K]

Massimiliano Biaggi is to be Aprilia’s top rider in the Suberbike World Championship.
The rider from Rome won three of his four MotoGP world championship titles with Aprilia. Now he has signed a contract that will see him back with Aprilia and riding the RSV4 for the next two seasons.

Max Biaggi rode for Aprilia from 1991 to 1996. His spectacular adventure began with a first place in the European Championship and went on to record three world championship titles in the 250 class, with 23 GP wins and a total of 37 podiums.

“Biaggi was our number one choice and I’m delighted to have him back with us”, explains Leo Francesco Mercanti, the Piaggio Group’s Director of Product Development and Sports Activities. “Biaggi has written some of the most important chapters in the history of Aprilia’s racing career. He gave us our first really important victories, and rode for us in seasons that saw us dominating the championship. In short, Max Biaggi put Aprilia firmly in the history books of motorcycle racing. To have Biaggi with us to ride the Aprilia RSV4 means the beginning of a whole new challenge. We are convinced that he will give expression to our passion, technical skill, and desire for victory.”
Aprilia has more titles than any other Italian motorcycle constructor currently competing in MotoGP. Between 1992 and the present day, Aprilia has won 31 GP world titles, 4 Supermotard world titles and 2 Trials world titles, and has also won 8 Superbike World Championship races.
:plus::plus::plus::plus::plus:

[Beau1K]

The potential of the RSV-4 is enormous and I can say we have arrived within a second to where the big points are given away in Superbike Racing !

If he can get it going that well...Biaggi is sure to take some wins...any word on who's going to be riding the BMW or the KTM???

Any pics of the BMW???

[CathanCruz]

Xaus is on the beemer, from last I heard.

[Beau1K]

Xaus is on the beemer, from last I heard.

But what about pictures of the bike???

[Beau1K]

Here it is...although I'm wondering what the street bike is going to look like.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/bmw_1000_rr_large_3.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/bmw_1000_rr_large_5.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/bmw_1000_rr_large_3.jpg

[kzmille]

The street bike will look a lot like the race bike or they won't be able to race it. World Superbike is a production class. The rules state very specifically what you can and cannot change.

[Beau1K]

Right. I'm keen to see it with the graphics, mirrors, headlights, tail lights, stock pipe etc. If I were in a market for something besides a twin, which I am not, it would be a VERY close tie between this bike and the RSV4! The thing looks pretty damn sweet!!

[kzmille]

Gabro posted some new pictures Here (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141843) today. Pic of the street bike is small though.
It's at least 8 pm in Italy. Bikes were to be shown today. I can't believe there is nothing more yet. Shouldn't be long.

[kzmille]

This appears to be the homologated race bike as the frame is just like that on the street bike and it is distinctly different from the prototype shown in February.

[Beau1K]

Gabro posted some new pictures Here (http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141843) today. Pic of the street bike is small though.
It's at least 8 pm in Italy. Bikes were to be shown today. I can't believe there is nothing more yet. Shouldn't be long.

Saw that...looks AMAZING!!! I can't wait to see some high res stuff and hopefully some video as well.

We have some time to wait...another 19 hours. It's only 10PM Sat. in Italy right now. The unveiling is Sunday the 21st @ 5 PM right?

[kzmille]

Okay, yeah that's right. Sorry, I was thinking it was today.

Not expecting to ever have one myself but find I am getting excited about finally seeing it.

[Beau1K]

I am very excited too. I expect that once it is revealed there will be a deluge of info that we have all been waiting for, for quite some time.

[judygt]

I personally am looking forward to seeing how Max does.
I do hope he doesn't complain about it too early in the game. Yes he is a bit of a self centered snob but I miss him and the battles him and Rossi had so this should be interesting.
Does anyone know if he was injured in his unbelievable crash.?
Judy

[Beau1K]

Due to the recent photos at the RSV4 launch I'm speculating that Marco Simoncelli is going to be the second rider. What do you think?? I believe he's still unsigned for next year.

[CRMNL]

i'm with sal on this one-f**$#ng hate biaggi.this could not have happened in a worse way.they could have picked anyone else in the world.my favorite bike with the most assinine rider.what next-rossi gonna start singing in a boy band? THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

[buck000]

I've been watching Biaggi in WSBK this year, and I'm liking him more than when he was in MotoGP. He's soldiering on in the races, and in his (frequent ;) ) post-race interviews he seems pretty cool and friendly.

I think it's great to have talent like Biaggi on the racing V4.

YMMV ;)

[suedboy]

I've been watching Biaggi in WSBK this year, and I'm liking him more than when he was in MotoGP. He's soldiering on in the races, and in his (frequent ;) ) post-race interviews he seems pretty cool and friendly.

I think it's great to have talent like Biaggi on the racing V4.

YMMV ;)

Agreed on every level. Seems the switch to WSBK has given the boy some perspective. Having meet him outside of the racing world, I can tell you that he is actually a very personable and friendly fellow. Not that that excuses some of his past behavior, but I think time may have changed him a bit, and you can't deny; he has put in some inspired rides this year on the Steligarda 1098. I think it will be a good synergy.

[tuono07]

I like him!!:peace:

[Rlhay2]

Dangit!!

BMW has retained the services of Troy Corser for 2009!! Good move for BMW!!

I just wish Aprilia could have retained him for his developmental abilities. I believe Max can ride a developed bike, I just don't see any proof that he can develop one.

[suedboy]

Dangit!!

BMW has retained the services of Troy Corser for 2009!! Good move for BMW!!

I just wish Aprilia could have retained him for his developmental abilities. I believe Max can ride a developed bike, I just don't see any proof that he can develop one.

Precisely why I hope we keep Hoffman. He has been developing the bike for nearly two years. No reason not to let him continue the work in the heat of battle.

[Beau1K]

Alex would make a great #2 rider. I second that. Poll? :D

[RSV4ME]

This isn't a farkin personality contest ladies, he just needs to get on the bike to develop and ride, he's got plenty of experiance at both. GO MAX!!!!!

[Italijet]

I can't see why there is so much hate for Biaggi. Currently, given equal machinery the worlds best riders are:

1: Valentino Rossi - Won't ride in WSBK
2: Sete Gibernau - Already signed for Ducati
3: Max Biaggi

Aprilia have come up trumps with Max. Your be seeing the very best rider that is available riding the RSV4 for next season.

IMHO the best team would be Max and Bautista racing the bike, Hoffman and Guintoli testing and Aspar providing the Management.

[Sal Khan]

Wait wait... You're putting Gibernau in that list? Forget the fact that Biaggi is debateable, but Gibby? The same guy who retired after cracking because Rossi looked at him funny and followed him around a track for a while?

HA!

HAHAHA!


I can't see why there is so much hate for Biaggi. Currently, given equal machinery the worlds best riders are:

1: Valentino Rossi - Won't ride in WSBK
2: Sete Gibernau - Already signed for Ducati
3: Max Biaggi

Aprilia have come up trumps with Max. Your be seeing the very best rider that is available riding the RSV4 for next season.

IMHO the best team would be Max and Bautista racing the bike, Hoffman and Guintoli testing and Aspar providing the Management.

[smaypilot]

Nothing wrong with Max. Put on a pretty good show at the beginning of the season. Heck gave the Duc factory boys a good run for their money. Yeah a little scarry how often he crashed, but he seemed to make it out ok. But that's how hard he pushes I guess. I think if he can come out strong like the 08 season but this time keep it at 110% vs. the 150% where he crashes, Aprilia might do ok. They have a lot of development to overcome, but the bikes specs seem solid. Also Max seems like a nice guy in the past year or so and a little more humble. Personally I think it's great to have a competitive Italian on the bike. I heard Shinya Nakano might be coming to Aprilia also.

[Maxacceleration]

I hope Max does well. Its good to see Aprilia get (and spend for) a big name rider.
Hopefully he won't get dejected if the V-4 is 'not right'.
Its tough to be a top rider, racing for a possible championship and then have to develop a so-so bike.
Hopefully the RSV4 is better than so-so!

[ckruzel]

Wait wait... You're putting Gibernau in that list? Forget the fact that Biaggi is debateable, but Gibby? The same guy who retired after cracking because Rossi looked at him funny and followed him around a track for a while?

HA!

HAHAHA!

he retired because of rossi, what is this the school playground, sete raced for years and years, is rich to begin with and had injuries so he stepped back for a while, and he was better than more than half the grid, jeesh just because he didnt win the title everyone thinks he was washed up, he gave rossi some good fights on a regular basis, something that hasnt been done since

[NorCal_RSVR]

Next season is going to be insane with all the rider changes, new riders to GP and former runners up past (Sete)