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Fresh from earlier race outings at Misano and Sepang, two-time WorldSBK Champion Max Biaggi is testing in Qatar this week ahead of the season finale next weekend. The Aprilia Racing Team rider is set to conduct a four-day test at the desert-based circuit on the outskirts of Doha, which started on Monday.

After collecting a 71st podium finish with third place in Race 1 at Sepang, Biaggi is looking to go even further. This week, his test is due to take place for four days between Monday and Thursday, although he claims things could be tough.

“Riding at night absolutely fascinates me,” says the title winner of 2010 and 2012. “The eyes need to get accustomed to these enormously bright floodlights, which are really powerful. It seems like it's daytime!”

Following his first day of testing, Biaggi spoke to WorldSBK.com by telephone.

“Today (Tuesday) is the second day of testing. So far we can say that the weather conditions we’ve found here are not the best. It is hot, with temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius during the day; even at night, around 10 or 11 o’clock, we’ve got 35 degrees and 80% humidity. These are extreme conditions and, of course, my bike is the only one out there on the track, so the surface is not very clean and it will be difficult to improve over the coming days. That said, the test is important to recover some feeling with the track to be fully prepared for this new challenge.”

Biaggi last rode the Aprilia RSV4 last September, coinciding with a day of MotoGP tyre testing at the Italian circuit. That test was specifically scheduled in order for Biaggi to assess the condition of his shoulder, which was injured in a training accident ahead of the Malaysian WorldSBK round.

“I’m happy with how the shoulder is,” he adds. “It’s not as strong as before but at least it is no longer hurting.”