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Six weeks after his latest on-track performance at Sepang, Max Biaggi returned on track yesterday (Tuesday 15 September) for a one-day private test at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”. The two-time WorldSBK Champion shared the track with many MotoGP teams to get back up to speed aboard his RSV4 RF. With the Aprilia World Superbike Test Team, he also did some fine-tuning of the V4 machine, especially with the electronics.

“It was kind of unusual to wear my leathers again after Sepang”, Biaggi told WorldSBK.com. “This was a MotoGP test organised by Honda and many other teams were also there like Ducati, Suzuki and Aprilia; I was the only Superbike rider on track. Overall it was different to a usual test, but it was still very motivating.”

“It was a last-minute opportunity,” the Roman rider continued. “We have never done a one-day test before but as I was already in Italy and not too far from the track, the Aprilia MotoGP team was there as well, so we thought it would be a good chance for us. We mainly focused on fine-tuning our electronic package, the gear-shifting strategies and trying some small modifications to the set-up regarding the rear shock. That’s it.”

“In the end it was not too bad; in just one day we managed to lap just two tenths slower than the race lap record.”
As he revealed straight after the second race in Malaysia, Biaggi rode in Sepang with shoulder and leg injuries sustained the week before during a private test at the same track. The consequences of the heavy fall were worse than expected.

“My leg felt alright yesterday, but the real problem was the left shoulder. After Sepang I underwent more extensive checks and it became clear that a tendon was torn which happens when a shoulder is dislocated. I did not undergo surgery, but I did all the physiotherapy and exercise I could in order to reinforce the muscles in my shoulder area.”

“My participation in the race in Malaysia was already in doubt, as I felt the pain was way too strong to be a minor injury but we did it anyway!”