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This weekend's Imola WSBK round, as for every round in Italy, is a truly special occasion for the Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team, reinforced by their double leadership. Max Biaggi dominates in the rider standings with a 58 point lead from Haslam, while Aprilia is at the top of the manufacturer standings, 49 in front of Suzuki. So the Santerno track will host what could very well be the decisive challenge between the only two contenders for the World Superbike title.

The Veneto-based team will enter its only RSV4 machine at this round for the four-times world champion Max Biaggi. Leon Camier will not be able to participate as he is convalescing after surgery on his right wrist, injured in a crash during the German weekend on the Nurburgring. The English rider is hoping to be back on the track for the last round of the season, at Magny-Cours in France.

Max Biaggi has no doubts about the task ahead: "As I already said, at Imola I will be a reckless calculator. I'll battle without ever holding back but, at the same time, always bearing in mind the situation and the importance of every single point. Experience teaches me that, to win the World Championship, I need to be constantly focused, never leaving anything to chance. This is why, even more than the other weekends, it will be so important to find the best set-up right from first practice. Imola is a track with a few too many bumps, so we'll have to work hard to stay in the positions that count."

Aprilia and AMREF

The Imola round is also the venue for an important initiative which ties Aprilia Racing to AMREF. Habitual success and consistent joy over sports victories must not make us forget about our commitment to solidarity with those who continue to suffer. This is why Aprilia Racing and the Piaggio Group have decided to share a season rich with satisfaction with those who are less fortunate, hosting the AMREF logo on the fairing of the RSV4 bikes used in World Superbike 2010 by Max Biaggi and Leon Camier.

The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) is the main non-profit health organization on the African continent. Established in Nairobi in 1957 by three surgeons, today it has more than 800 people on staff in Africa (97% of whom are Africans) and manages about 140 health development projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda with the active participation of the communities, personnel and local health systems.

In half a century of activity, AMREF has aided, treated and trained millions of people. Almost 90 percent of the funds raised by AMREF Italy come from support from private individuals, events and exhibits and from cooperation with selected companies. There are more than 120,000 AMREF Italy supporters, among which are well know individuals from the art, culture, show business and sport world.

In kicking off this cooperation Aprilia Racing intends to contribute - thanks to the visibility of its sports activity on a worldwide level - to increasing awareness and esteem for AMREF's work. Because in solidarity, just like in a race, we must never stop.