'Sorry' Biaggi: I didn't see the boards

Max Biaggi explains why he was disqualified from the second World Superbike race of the day at Donington Park.
Biaggi, Black flagged, Donington WSBK Race 2 2011
Biaggi, Black flagged, Donington WSBK Race 2 2011
© Gold and Goose

Max Biaggi says he was unaware he had been handed a drive-thru penalty for jumping the start of the second World Superbike race at Donington Park, ultimately leading to his disqualification.

The Aprilia Alitalia rider endured a trying weekend around the Leicestershire circuit having become embroiled in an intense fight for what became seventh in race one, before proceeding to make his faux pas in race two.

Though he admits he knew he had jumped the start, he was too caught up in the pack to notice he was being beckoned to serve his penalty.

He was eventually black flagged, Biaggi forced to park his RSV-4 in the pit lane for his first failure to finish since Assen 2009.

"I realised that I had moved on the grid, so I was well aware that my race had been compromised," he conceded.

"I tried to push right away to recover, but I lost my concentration because of that mistake, losing several positions. Unfortunately I didn't see the boards - when you're in the pack that can happen.

Dropping 42 points adrift of Carlos Checa in the overall standings after just two rounds, the defending champion apologised to his team for failing to deliver the results expected.

"I'm extremely sorry for the team [after] two results below expectations, but it must not ruin the good that has been done thus far. To the contrary, this is the time when we need to be united, learning even from these bad days. The season is long, we'll have the opportunity to make amends."

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