Max Biaggi
Max Biaggi is an Italian MotoGP racer currently residing in Monaco. He was born in Rome on June 261971. His nickname is The Roman Emperor.
Career
125cc
Although Max was more interested in soccer as a child, he started his racing career in the 125 cc category in 1989, aged 18. In 1990 he won the Italian Sport Production Championship. After his success in 125 cc category, Biaggi moved immediately to 250 cc class.
250 cc
In 1991 he became European champion on a 250cc Aprilia, and the same year he finished 27th in the world motorcycle 250cc racing championship riding for the same manufacturer. In 1992 Max Biaggi completed his first entire season in world 250 cc GP championship in 1992 for Aprilia, and finished this season 5th overall. In the same season he took his first victory in Kyalami, South Africa. The following season, Biaggi joined Honda, and finished 4th in the championship standings by taking a single victory in Barcelona. In 1994 he returned to Aprilia and started dominating the 250 cc world championship. He scored three consecutive titles in 1994, 1995 and 1996. In 1997, he returned to Honda again, riding for Erv Kanemoto team, and scored his fourth consecutive title. After that, he moved on to the 500 cc class.
500 cc
Max Biaggi made an impressive start in his 500 cc debut, wining his first race in the 1998 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, riding for Kanemoto Honda team. He was also victorious in the Czech Republic and finished a brilliant second behind the legendary Mick Doohan. Biaggi then joined Yamaha to battle against the leading Hondas. He finished fourth in 1999, third a year later and second in 2001.
MotoGP
In 2002, Biaggi riding the four-stroke for the first time came strong as the Yamaha improved throughout the season. He won in Brno, Czech Republic and Sepang, Malaysia to clinch the runner-up place behind his great rival Valentino Rossi. In 2003 Biaggi finished third in MotoGP championship, after rejoining Honda, this time for Camel Pramac Pons team. Everyone expected Biaggi to be one of the main candidates for the title in 2004, but his crash in Estoril made this hopes fade. At the end of the 2004 MotoGP season, Biaggi finshed in 3rd place, after Rossi and Sete Gibernau.
In 2005 Max Biaggi has started the MotoGP season as official factory Honda rider, after joining Repsol Honda Team. In this team, Biaggi was joined by Technical Director Erv Kanemoto. Previous successes, continued cooperation with Kanemoto, and full factory support from Honda, make Biaggi again one of the main title contenders in 2005. Max has taken fairly solid results, but is currently ranked 5th in the championship.