Biaggi realistic about Island chances

Max Biaggi’s defence of the Superbike World Championship begins at Phillip Island this weekend (February 25-27), but the Roman master certainly isn’t expecting to set the track alight.

And it’s got nothing to do with the veteran slowing down as his 40th birthday approaches, but more a realistic assessment of the relationship his factory Aprilia has with the lightning fast grand prix circuit.

“The Aprilia doesn’t suit this place as well as other tracks, but it’s impossible to have a good bike on every track,” said Biaggi. “Still, we have been working hard on trying to work out why, and the two days testing here earlier this week went okay.

“We still have a chance to pull things together by race time though, and I am optimistic of a good result on Sunday.”

And there’s some historical data to substantiate Biaggi’s Island claims. In 2010, he only produced moderate fifth and eighth place finishes at Phillip Island, but at round two in Portugal – at a circuit his Aprilia worships – he then ignited his season with a clean sweep.

From that point on the Italian didn’t look back, and sauntered to his maiden world Superbike title with 10 wins in 24 races.

Biaggi now returns to Phillip Island as world champion, and he’s certainly aware of his ‘predicament’.

“Well, it’s always a big gamble (defending a title),” said Biaggi. “Of course I feel to be the one who can lose something, but this is a part of racing.

“I feel very good of course being champion, and to be a part of this world Superbike family is great. I just can’t wait to start racing on Sunday, for what should be a very exciting championship.”

Biaggi is just one of the international stars in action this weekend, and the cast also includes the in-form Spaniard Carlos Checa (Ducati), Briton Leon Haslam (BMW), former MotoGP winner Marco Melandri (Yamaha), Japan’s Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia), Honda’s Jonathan Rea, Italy’s Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki) and Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati).

Australia’s assault will again be spearheaded by perennial favourite Troy Corser (BMW), a record seven-time winner at Phillip Island, with solid support from Suzuki’s Josh Waters and Kawasaki duo Mark Aitchison and Bryan Staring.

Queenslander Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki) has withdrawn to give his injured left knee more time to recover, and he’s planning to return to championship action at round two in late March.

Waters was hugely impressive during testing earlier this week, even eclipsing Corser in the timesheets, but the rider who belted everyone was Checa, who set the best ever world Superbike lap around Phillip Island in perfect conditions.

Checa and Haslam, then a Suzuki pilot, shared wins at Phillip Island last year.

In world Supersport, Newcastle rider Broc Parkes is chasing the first win by a local rider at Phillip Island since Andrew Pitt in 2008. Parkes has been one of the form riders throughout pre-season testing, alongside Honda’s Fabien Foret, his Kawasaki team-mate David Salom and young gun Sam Lowes (Honda).

In addition to the two world championship classes, Phillip Island will also host round one of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship featuring Superbike, Prostock, Supersport and Superstock 600 classes, while there will also be standalone events for the popular Historic bikes.

This year, Phillip Island is hosting its 21st year of world Superbike action, with the association beginning way back in 1990.