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Max Biaggi’s WorldSBK return was quick to make headlines on Thursday, with the racing comeback being put to the MotoGP riders in their press conference ahead of the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Biaggi will return to the eni FIM Superbike World Championship for the upcoming Misano and Sepang rounds, creating excitement for the likes of Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez.

“It will be interesting, for sure!” smiled nine-time World Champion Rossi, whose battles with Biaggi from the early 2000s are cemented in racing folklore. “If you are in good shape, physically and mentally, it is difficult to stop racing. If he is racing again, it is because his lap times are good and he will try to be in front, so it will be interesting to follow on TV or, because it’s Misano, maybe I could go there to watch the race.”

Four-time title winner Jorge Lorenzo was quick to add that age is no hindrance:

“Max likes the bike. It was very difficult for him to retire. He loves Supermoto and he is always training physically. He is 44 now (Biaggi will celebrate his 44th birthday five days after the Misano races) but he seems very young still – at least his mind is very young and he is still willing to do some tests and races. I think, if Bayliss can race and do quite well at Phillip Island, Max can do a good result at Misano.”

The question on Biaggi’s return was also put to Marc Marquez.

“It is good for the Superbike World Championship because, at the end of the day, he is a World Champion, so it will be interesting to see how his level is,” said Marquez, who is the youngest ever rider clinch two consecutive MotoGP titles. “I wish the best to him because he is a great rider and I think, with his riding style, he can be fast.”

Biaggi will be competing with Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils on a third bike alongside 2015 regulars Leon Haslam and Jordi Torres.