Perfect goodbye gift from Biaggi to Yamaha.

Max Biaggi took the Marlboro Yamaha Team's last ever pole position, in his final Yamaha ride today at Valencia. The Roman Emperor's pole was not only a fitting goodbye gift, but also the perfect present for his crew chief Fiorenzo Fanali, who celebrated his 51st birthday today.

The distinctive red and white MYT squad will be renamed and rebranded next season with the departure of long time title sponsor Marlboro, making Biaggi's achievement the last time a red and white Yamaha will ever start from pole position in a Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Equally important however, is that pole position gives the Italian the best-possible chance of taking his third win of the season in tomorrow's Valencia GP, which would secure him runner-up spot in the World Championship.

Biaggi is currently second, though just one point ahead of Tohru Ukawa, who was seventh today.

"I'm very happy to take the last pole of the year," said a delighted Biaggi, who today bettered his 2001 Valencia GP pole time by a massive 1.2 seconds. "We've worked well since we got here, I was fast and consistent this afternoon and that's a good sign.

"I really wanted pole today for Fiorenzo, and also for my physio Marino, to whom I will give the (Tissot) watch I get for pole. Things are coming much easier now after a difficult start to the season. The Yamaha is very competitive, so I aim to keep pushing until the end tomorrow, to finish in style with the people I've worked with over the past four years."

Fanali has worked with Biaggi since 2000 and in GPs since 1969, when he was with MV Agusta. During the eighties he won three 500 titles with Marlboro Yamaha rider Eddie Lawson.

"It's fantastic to get pole for the last race of the season," smiled Marlboro Yamaha Team director Davide Brivio. "Max has been fast and consistent all day, he's riding well and pushing hard."