WSBK » Biaggi to make Aprilia debut

he is already on the circuit in VALENCIA today and tomorrow !!!

Anyone have some unofficial times?

I think it says alot about the Sterilgarda team, and their sense of sportsmanship, that they extended the permission for this test.

I don't know how unusual such a move is, but I'd say it shows them in a pretty good light.

oh bugger, i was supposed to be working in Chiva this week, it's just 10 minutes from the circuit, I cancelled the trip cos one of my spanish colleagues couldn't make it. Would have liked to have seen the new V4 Ape, wonder if Aprilia will have a stand at the NEC show this year?

Anyone have any ideas or speculation about his team mate? Who do ya reckon it will be????

Robby Rolfo, Alex Hoffman or Alex Debon.

Debon I reckon, bringing a Spanish sponsor with him.

What will be interesting is whether Biaggi or Corser will be the better bike developer with both going to brand new factory teams with brand new bikes.Will Biaggi on Aprilia out do Corser on the BMW,we know Corser can develop bikes but can Biaggi?.

Corser for sure, Biaggi is not that great of developing a bike, he always got his bike well developed (when he was successful). I can't remember when he turned "negative" development right again. Corser on the other hand is well known for his abilities here. But on the otherside, Corser can't pull off all his pins like Bayliss/Haga/Xaus and ride for a win or crash, that is why he is not able to win these days.

For sure Corser is the better development rider but at the end of the day, he is not a good a rider as Max. They both haven't managed to win a race this year but Troy is on a factory Yamaha that has won lots of races in Haga's hands. A bad move leaving for BMW IMO. Could have been world champion with Yamaha next year.

Anyway, even though Troy is the better development rider, Biaggi will beat him in the championship because he is a better rider. If he can stay fit and the Aprilia doesn't blow up all the time that is!

It also depends how developed the bikes are now. BMW have used Jeremy McWilliams, Steve Martin and Kevin Curtain. Aprilia have used Alex Hofmann with a couple of days from Rolfo. My guess is that BMW will have a much bigger budget because they will use this race effort to spice up their overall image and help market their cars as well as bikes. In the past they used the "glamour" of the R100RS to make their cars seem sexy.

Re Aprilia - maybe run Debon on a third bike and retain Hofmann for his continuity with development? I hope so because I would like to see them both in WSB next year.

Re Corser v Biaggi - both past their prime, but Corser is the one with the reputation for dev...