Biaggi: A great and unbelievable comeback!
Max Biaggi labeled his comeback to the World Superbike class "unbelievable" after he topped both free practice sessions at Misano on Friday.
Although Biaggi, now 44-years old, has been testing with Aprilia throughout the year, including time on the resurfaced Adriatic track, the Italian stunned the World Superbike regulars, first by topping FP1 by 0.47s then the afternoon session by 0.25s.
The two-time World Superbike champion believes the results from his first day competing in the paddock since 2012 will give him extra energy going into qualifying on Saturday.
"It's a great and unbelievable comeback," he told www.worldsbk.com TV. "This is something that gives you so much energy, when you're able to do something like this. Of course I didn't expect to be P1 in both sessions and I can only say thanks for the opportunity. Thanks to my team who did a very good job.
"Of course it's only FP, it's not qualifying but we can show them we have some muscle under the t-shirt. The other guys are in very good shape and for sure they're thinking of the race distance. I am sure they are kind of strong.
"Regarding me this is an Italian round. I've been here testing. It's only Friday and that doesn't count. But emotionally it counts a lot."
The Misano round, where Biaggi scored double victories in 2010 and 2012, is the first of two weekends in which the Italian is scheduled to compete in 2015.
When asked if he could see himself making a full-time comeback to the class in 2016, Biaggi said that wasn't "what I'm looking for" before adding, "never say never."
"What we really think before this race is to come back for a single race. When we had that opportunity it happened. I really like to go back to racing in the warm conditions just to remind me the history because in that situation I always give my best.
"Speaking about next year is really too much because one race is ok, two races already a lot. Thinking about a full season...for me it's going to be tough. I think maybe it's not what I'm looking for. Never say never. At the moment I'm going not race by race but day by day. Today is Friday, tomorrow Saturday and we'll see."
