Biaggi gets full factory RCV.

Sources in the Italian press are indicating that former four-times 250cc world champion Max Biaggi will be given a full factory Honda RCV - as ridden by arch-rival Valentino Rossi - from the Czech Grand Prix onwards.

To the disappointment of many, Biaggi has been riding a 'customer spec' RCV this season for Sito Pons' team - leading to plenty of 'what if' accusations from fans and MotoGP insiders alike, with the Roman Emperor himself frequently talking about achieving the 'best results with what I have'.

The 'customer' machine, as ridden to victory by Sete Gibernau in round two of the series, is by no means a bad machine, but the 2003 racer - currently campaigned by official HRC riders Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Tohru Ukawa and Gibernau (following the loss of Daijiro Kato) - is naturally a step ahead and with Biaggi finishing just a few seconds behind Rossi and Gibernau in recent races the few tenths a lap difference from the 2003 racer could be all he needs to take his first premier class crown.

It will also end the criticism levelled at HRC for giving the likes of Hayden and Ukawa full works machinery, when they have been beaten at almost every race by the 2002 championship runner-up - only MotoGP rookies Ryuichi Kiyonari and Makoto Tamada are riding the same lower spec machines as Biaggi.

Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport reports that following Biaggi's consistently impressive rides this season, capped by pole position and victory at Donington (following Rossi's ten second penalty), the Japanese giant has decided to increase their support for the Roman with equal machinery from Brno on August 17th - or by the Portuguese GP on September 7 at the latest.

However, while the official reason for the move is likely to be Biaggi's strong performances so far this season - and that they've had time to build an extra machine - many will see the real reason as Honda wanting to increase the pressure on Rossi after negotiations for next year hit a stalemate over the #46 wanting 'just' a one year contract - and openly stating that his dream is to win the title for rivals Ducati.

Honda currently have little choice but to give Vale whatever he wants in terms of money and length of contract, given his status and domination of the championship standings so far, but if Biaggi joins Gibernau in regularly beating the Repsol rider it'll reduce his bargaining capabilities massively.

Brno is also something of a golden circuit for Biaggi, having won on six times at the sweeping Eastern European circuit - and the #3 would have a further six rounds to try and close Rossi's 37 point lead on his new machine.