Biaggi 'optimistic', Kagayama in doubt.
Max Biaggi will return to the scene of his final MotoGP race this weekend at Valencia, where the Roman can realistically aim to take the 2007 World Superbike championship lead.
With James Toseland forced to retire from race two at Donington Park, Alstare Suzuki rider Biaggi is now just five-points from the top heading to round four - a circuit that he has also tested extensively at.
Max Biaggi will return to the scene of his final MotoGP race this weekend at Valencia, where the Roman can realistically aim to take the 2007 World Superbike championship lead.
With James Toseland forced to retire from race two at Donington Park, Alstare Suzuki rider Biaggi is now just five-points from the top heading to round four - a circuit that he has also tested extensively at.
However, Biaggi hasn't raced at Valencia since his final GP ride, in Repsol Honda colours, at the conclusion of the 2005 season - when he finished in sixth position.
"Riding a Superbike around Valencia is a very different to a MotoGP bike, but I am enjoying riding my Alstare Suzuki K7 and at least I have already put in some laps of the Valencia on it," said Biaggi, who lost victory in race two at Donington after a small mistake at the very final turn. "I don't find the circuit so technical, but it is a circuit where you have to have a good bike set-up if you want to make fast, consistent laps. There are many left hand turns, so finding a tyre that has good grip and will last is always a balancing act. I am optimistic of good results and looking forward to two more hard races."
Team-mate Yukio Kagayama is hoping to join Biaggi on track at Valencia, but is facing a race against time to recover from rib injuries sustained at Donington.
"My season so far has not gone the way I expected - too many crashes!" admitted Yuki. "At Donington, I had another crash [in practice] and, because I knocked myself out for a few minutes, the doctors would not let me race. Also, a few days later my ribs felt a bit sore. At the moment, I have missed four races and I don't like that. Practice and testing is OK, but I am missing race action.
"Valencia has mixed memories for me, but what is important is what happens next weekend. I will make a check on how my ribs are before I decide to race, because I know Valencia is a very physical track and, if my ribs are a problem, it may be not possible for me to race. We shall see what happens when we get there," he declared.
