Max Biaggi endured a mixed day of fortunes at his home Vallelunga circuit after finishing second in the first race before being involved in a spectacular accident in the second.
Seemingly buoyed by the confirmation that he will lead Aprilia's return to
World Superbikes next season, Biaggi made the most of his front row starting position in the first race to pressure
Noriyuki Haga to the flag.
Although the pair were never separated by more than a second, Biaggi could not force Haga into an error and score a famous win on home soil. Even so, second place sees him record his fifth podium finish in five meetings.
“In race one I would have liked to win and I tried everything to grab it, but nothing more was possible. Haga drove very well and I gave him a rough ride.”
Race two, however, ended more abruptly when Biaggi clipped the back of Troy Corser, causing him to high-side and collect Kenan Sofuoglu. Despite the high-speed impact, Biaggi was nonetheless able to walk away from the smash unharmed.
“I would have liked to repeat it in race two but first I collided with Corser and then my front started to chatter when all we were in the pack; after that Sofuoglu struck me, making me literally fly.”