Biaggi speaks out on second day in Sepang
With Max Biaggi returning to the factory he last rode with in
1998, a year which Biaggi himself describes as one of his best in the World
Championships, is just part of the reason why MotoGP 2003 is shaping up to be
the most exciting season ever. This time however, the `Roman Emperor´ - as he
was dubbed after winning four consecutive 250cc World titles between 1994 and
1997 - will certainly want to go one better. Three times runner up in the
premier class including 1998, the return to Honda is about Max being the top
rider once again. A passionate racer, it is clear that he misses enormously
the thrill of being champion. Despite all the smiles and pleasantries for the
cameras, like any rider, Biaggi loves to be at the top, and only winning will
do for the Italian this year.
Nevertheless as motograndprix.com caught up with Biaggi at the
Sepang test, he remains modest about his chances at this early stage. `I have
obviously set my targets high this year, but I just want to concentrate on the
present,´ he said.
`I have come a long way to finally test the machine - because
this is really my first proper taste of it, and I am using these three days to
understand how it works and get myself comfortable with it. I haven´t done
too many laps so far, we´e just trying to adjust it, to get it to suit me a
little more. I hadn´t ridden in over two months before coming here, except
when I was training, so to get back on a racing bike just takes a little time
to shake out that unfamiliarity.´
It seems Biaggi is already into the swing of things with the
RC211V, setting good times on both his first two days on his brand new pair of
V5 championship winners. `By the end of the third day tomorrow, I think I´ll
be in quite good shape to be honest. I feel good on this bike, but I want to
discover more by riding the bike for longer, so I can see the strong points.
So far though I feel quite good. I´m doing okay so far, to say I haven´t
ridden for a while. I don´t want to say too much, but I´m sure I´m going to
be okay, and this bike is a very good machine.
With his big Italian rivals Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi
also testing this week in Sepang, the Roman may have been tempted to sneak a
peek of the others in action, but he admits that he is keeping himself to
himself for the time being. `I haven´t been around the track at the same time
as any of the other riders, so I couldn´t see what they were doing. Others were
trying, but I just stopped when they did – it´s perfectly normal for them to
do it, but for me it´s not important to follow anybody. I need to be strong by
myself first, and then we can perhaps have a look.´
In contrast to the rain which ended yesterday´s testing early
for the riders, there was scorching sunshine throughout the day in Sepang today.
Rossi ended the day as fastest out on the track after having been able to ride
for a full day. All the riders posted better times than yesterday due to the
improved conditions, and with Daijiro Kato behind Rossi, Loris Capirossi was
third quickest, proving his time from yesterday was no fluke. Capirossi admitted
that the Ducati is quick, but feels that the Honda´s traction gives it the edge
at the moment.
Unofficial times: Valentino Rossi
2´03.5; Daijiro Kato 2´04.3; Loris Capirossi 2´04.4; Max Biaggi 2´04.5;
Tohru Ukawa 2´04.9; Sete Gibernau 2´04.9;Shinichi Itoh 2´05.6; Troy Bayliss 2´06.0;
Nicky Hayden 2´06.6; Makoto Tamada 2´07.0
Quelle: www.motograndprix.com
Copyright © 2003 Dorna Sports, S.L.
