MotoGP: Max Biaggi Back To His Roots?
It's silly season gone mad!!
by toby hirst
Friday, December 23, 2005
Just how silly do you like your silly season?
Our sources in Spain are reporting that the Aprilia factory are considering a return to the MotoGP class in 2006 with their in-line three "Cube" project, with Max Biaggi touted as the pilot.
Reports today quote Giampiero Sacchi as suggesting that with the right finance in place, and with the acceptance of Biaggi to the project, that the Aprilia factory are confident of an inclusion on the grid for the 2006 MotoGP campaign.
It seems to be a quagmire of rumor and conjecture at present with regard to Biaggi since his fall from grace as a factory Honda rider. But, the reports are nonetheless coming in from our Spanish counterparts and if true, Biaggi may have found a lifeline in the premier class.
Biaggi seemed (and it still may be the case) to be without a premier class ride for 2006 following his split with HRC and after becoming somewhat of an outcast as far as the politicians are concerned.
That split was reported on this very news portal and was followed by a swift press release from Camel (Biaggi's sponsor) to announce that they were no longer to be involved with Honda or the Pons Team.
Camel apparently looked at running Biaggi on a third Kawasaki but politics prevented that plan from seeing fruition.
JT International, parent company of the Camel brand, are currently considering other avenues in terms of sponsorship in the MotoGP class. A possible partnership with Suzuki is one option supposedly being discussed around the tables of power.
And, as we leave you to read this article, we reiterate, these reports are, as suggested, simply rumors. At present, neither Biaggi or the Aprilia factory have commented officially.
Surely this would be the last chance saloon for the Roman who rode for Aprilia in the 250cc class in 1992, and between 1994-1996, where he won three consecutive world titles.
Our opinion? It seems highly unlikely, but as with man landing on the moon, anything can happen, especially in the mad and crazy world of MotoGP.