Carter: Watch out for Max

Eurosport - Fri, 30 Jan 17:51:00 2009

How is the BMW assault on the World Superbike title coming along?

SUPERBIKE 2008 Biaggi - 0

Will the factory bother the top names early on? How about the Aprilia's efforts? Which of these two firms will be the first to get to grips with the job of winning in WSB, and will any of them fall by the wayside?

There are many questions surrounding both campaigns. With BMW coming into the championship for the first time this season and Aprilia returning to the championship - albeit with a new four-cylinder machine instead of the previous V-twin mumbler - both are finding themselves under the glare of the spotlight.

These are both good things.

People are a little bit guarded, being careful about what they say and to whom. Thank goodness then for the riders.

Both Rubens Xaus and Troy Corser were refreshingly honest at last weekend's three days test at Portimao in Portugal, each rider repeatedly pointing out that there was a lot of work to do with the BMW S 1000 RR superbike.

The timesheets certainly agreed with them at the end of the first day. To see Troy chopping and changing his gear selection points, and taking a couple of bites at corners while settings were changed and the right direction found, was not exactly confidence-inspiring.

But, bit by bit, the times started to fall, the best gears compromise was found - with, apparently, the major work on the gearing being done in the run-up to the first round of the championship at Phillip Island - and both Troy and Ruben started going quite a bit quicker.

Over in the Aprilia garage things were far from as happy though. I spent some time chatting to Max Biaggi and he told me that the bike was - and let's use his words here - "a very long way off: we have a lot of work to do on everything."

I should declare an interest here: I am a huge Max Biaggi fan. I know he has his detractors both inside and outside of the paddock but I like the guy. I want my superstars to carry off a bit of pomp and stature. I like the fact that Max is never afraid and that he has shown himself to be one of the greatest motorcycle riders of all time.

If you don't agree with that, may I suggest you go and watch the four years he dominated the 250cc GP class: each year was something so very spectacular. And he's always been chatty when I've stopped by for a natter; Max is all right. So when he says that things aren't great, believe that they aren't.

There is, however, some light at the end of the development tunnel for Max. The Roman thinks that by the third round in Valencia the Aprilia will be somewhere very close to where it needs to be.

"This year is not about the championship win, this year is the first year in working on the bike. We will work on it in 2009 - and 2010 is the time for the championship," Max told me.

"So I have already not been worried about the first two rounds. We have too much to do, but by round three we will be a lot better."

We have been warned. And surely Aprilia will want to do well in Valencia, the home of its first emphatic win on the Aprilia Mille in the hands of none other than Troy Corser, who himself had developed the bike into a race winner.

Strange how things come around, isn't it?

Tony Carter / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. carter go away your such a ginger fool, you must just read articles on the tinter-net and think it needs your input . it doesnt and your clueless and ive got mates to back me up , have you , didnt think so.........

    From cjhouldsworth, on Mon 9 Feb 11:40AM

  2. steve i take it you are trying to wind people up with your comments on Max either that or you are not right in the head and i suspect the latter!

    From slighta111, on Sun 8 Feb 11:03AM

  3. Why does that moron Carter always write his name in the title? Idiot!

    From Colin, on Sat 7 Feb 10:23AM

  4. I do agree with the Eddie Lawson style of theatrics. Lawson was famous for saying nothing, being called grumpy, winning races, and in 1990 winning a title with only one race win (that race win came after Schwantz actually won the race in Spa). Though, unlike other famous characters in Motogp history, Lawson developed bikes, stayed away from the press and was largely distant from the fans. It was a contrast to Mamola and Gardner that loved the playboy image and fun they could have off track. Nial Mackenzie always complained, always, but he had a great character and was a great racer. I remember him trying his hand at truck racing and smashing down the Donnington pit wall in the process. My point here is, not every racer has a great attitude, but we admire them for what they can do on a motorcycle, that few others could even dream of doing half as well.

    From EGK, on Tue 3 Feb 2:57AM

  5. Biaggi will always be remembered in the same light as Randy Mamola, lots of success but a motogp title evaded him. It's sad to say that character's like Max Biaggi are fading out in our sport. We all praise Rossi for his antics, but because of highly restrictive rulings, we see less and less of them. Lorenzo, Rossi, Bautista and Simoncelli were told publicly to cool it down last year. It's a shame. But for all thsoe who are writing Biaggi off, or calling him a moaner...Look at Dovisioso, known affectionately in Italy as "whimper-man" is more famous for his off track complaints than his ontrack activities. Even in his rookie Motogp season, he found time to make 7 complaints about James Toseland and 3 complaints about Chris Vermulen to the press. His team helped him lodge 5 complaints directly to the IRTA and the FIM about Toseland's aggressive riding style. But, I don't hear anyone picking faults with Dovisioso half as often as they seem to about Biaggi.

    From EGK, on Tue 3 Feb 2:49AM

  6. Ok So I personally am not a Max fan. However I believe the sport is better off wiht him in it. He brings a bit of attitude to the show and people love to hate him, bit like schumi without the career defining success. I am hoping things go well for him this season as we need Aprilla and BMW in the championship. This is going to be the series to watch in 09 and I cannot wait to see how the Aprilla and BMW fair in the races throghout the year.
    Good Luck Lads
    Shiny Side Up

    From Jack Sprag, on Mon 2 Feb 8:44AM

  7. Steve... What a load of rubbish are you for REAL. LOL...good comments from kevincooling & EGK. As an Aprilia owner & fan i will be watching with interest their devolopement year (2009) in WSB. But right behind the brits as well.!!!

    From 1066, on Mon 2 Feb 5:45AM

  8. Max is a great rider. You don't win 4 world chapionships and come 2nd in the 500 and MotoGP if you're not.

    From marko6556, on Sun 1 Feb 2:57PM

  9. freaking max haters lmao pitifull cvnts ^_^

    From vampirivm, on Sun 1 Feb 2:26PM

  10. lol its surprising max took the aprilia ride he wanted the ducati ride but haga got it so since he did a @#$% season took what nobody wanted the new underdevelopped aprilia... im not saying it was a mistake but he wont be challenging for the championship maybe race wins in the end of the year but even that i doubt

    From vampirivm, on Sun 1 Feb 2:16PM

  11. Max is always there in the top three. He loves riding and it is NOT the money as some suggest. He loves a fight and he will be dangerous and could win it at the end of the season if he can avoid any bad falls

    From EleanaV, on Sun 1 Feb 1:59PM

  12. he's only there for the money, he was possibly the best ever on a 250, and more than good enough for gp whatever cc, but he will always be remembered as the moaner who wanted a repsol honda ride and what did he do when he got it....moaned

    From VALE FOR 6, on Sat 31 Jan 3:55PM

  13. But, for Biaggi, it will be interesting to see how he fares, with Nakano next to him who wants to salvage his career and perhaps the likelyhood of Simoncelli riding a third bike at a round. Biaggi is a true great, in a world where Rossi gets credit for anything and everything (and rightfully so, he's truly a great rider matching Lawson, Hailwood and Agostini) Biaggi has been the forgotten man, and I still remember his making a huge impact in 1992 when he knocked his own team mate off and out of the title challenge trying to win (Frankie Chilli). It was moves like that, that made me think, this guy is gonna be a champion. So, lets wait and see, will Aprilia deliver and can Biaggi hang with the young fast upstarts?

    From EGK, on Sat 31 Jan 12:35PM

  14. For me, it's not a question of how great a rider Max Biaggi is, or was...But how much he still wants it. Last season he showed fewer signs of greed and hunger when it came to battles for victory. Perhaps, this truly will be his check out year with the company that he is famous for riding and winning with. Infact, I would go so far as to say, he is synonymous with Aprilia. But this year, WSB is far more about the bikes and the rider, rather than in the past where it has been largely focused on the riders.

    From EGK, on Sat 31 Jan 12:35PM

  15. Max is a great rider we need guys with passion saw him at brands 2008 his comittment is second to none we need riders like him i have nothing but admoration of all riders that lap after lap ride round within 1ooth sec"s and someone has to come second third etc,i also hope apprilla & bmw mix it with dukes & hondas .

    From chris953stowers, on Sat 31 Jan 10:14AM

  16. Biaggi is one of the best riders to have never won a top class champs. (moto gp or wsbk) He has struggled, but you can still see moments of absolute brilliance in his riding! With Nakano alongside him the bike will continue to improve- Nakano will collect points and Biaggi will keep going untill he can win.
    Dont underestimate Aprillia- or BMW for that matter with 1 of the best underdogs ever- Xaus and one of the best superbike riders ever- Corser!

    From f1danim, on Sat 31 Jan 9:40AM

  17. Max Biaggi has been at the sharp end of all the c'ships he has ever taken part in, to dismiss his efforts, first you have to watch ALL he has done, and then cast your doubts, whomever you support, this man's talent is way above the ordinary...

    From achilles, on Sat 31 Jan 7:04AM

  18. Steve mate , l am NOT a Max fan ,but to say hes not a top rider...come on mate!...wake up, hes raced them all Vale,Doohan the lot and hasnt done to badly either...yes he can moan and whine( they all can!).....but hes still a top rider!.l am sure that these comments are put out to lower the level some-what ( l hope so anyways ,so do Aprillia l suppose lol )....lets take it for what it is , a brand new bike , two new riders......and a great series......

    From Kevin, on Sat 31 Jan 4:07AM

  19. Max is not a good rider, not a top one for sure. With so many up and coming riders he is clearly outclassed. For a talent like people think he is to not be anywhere near dominating the series, can only mean his peak has gone..

    From Steve, on Sat 31 Jan 12:28AM
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