Max Biaggi's Early Career
Max Biaggi's rise to the world championship began in 1992, following a wildcard entry in France the previous year, where he scored 13th place. He rode for the Valesi Team on an Aprilia 250cc motorcycle, with Pierfrancesco Chili as his teammate. Max wore a distinctive pink fuchsia helmet and had little fear, as he was known to be a bit reckless on the track. At Mugello, he sent his teammate Chili crashing and won his first Grand Prix in South Africa, in the final race of the championship. He finished the season in fifth position, and the following year, he signed with Honda, riding for the Rothmans Erv Kanemoto Team.
Early Success and Dominance
In 1994, Max returned to Aprilia and began his dominance in the 250cc class, which continued until 1997. During this period, he won 29 Grand Prix victories and four world titles, a record that still stands today. His time with Aprilia was marked by incredible success, and he remains one of the most successful riders in the history of motorcycle racing.
Transition to the Premier Class
In 1998, Max moved up to the premier class, riding for Honda, with Kanemoto as his team manager. He made an immediate impact, winning his first race and setting a record lap time. However, he was disqualified for ignoring a "stop-and-go" penalty in Barcelona, which cost him the championship. Despite this setback, he finished the season in second place behind Mick Doohan.
Years with Yamaha
Max spent four years with Yamaha, from 1999 to 2002, during which time he experienced both highs and lows. He won several races, including a sprint victory on Phillip Island in 2000, which helped Yamaha win the constructors' world title. However, he also suffered serious injuries, including a crash in the French Grand Prix in 1999. Despite these setbacks, Max remained determined and passionate about racing.
Return to Honda
In 2003, Max returned to Honda, riding for the Pons' Camel Pramac Team. Although he won a couple of races, he struggled with the non-factory RC211V motorcycle and finished the season in third place. The following year, he won another race, but again finished in third place.
Factory Ride and Later Career
In 2005, Max was given a factory ride with Honda, riding for the Repsol Team alongside Nicky Hayden. He worked with his old friend and technical chief, Erv Kanemoto, and initially had a strong season, finishing second in the championship. However, he struggled in the final races and fell to fifth place. Despite this, he was fired by Honda HRC and was not retained for the 2006 season.
After a year away from racing, Max returned to the track in 2007, signing a contract with the Superbike World Championship Team Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra.
