Superbike News
Max Biaggi was at the Dainese D-Store in Orange County, today May 22nd, meeting fans and answering questions. The D-Store was filled to capacity with enthusiastic fans that were pleased to have spent the afternoon with the 4-time 250cc GP World Champion and current World Superbike Aprilia Alitalia race pilot.
At round five in Monza, Italy, Biaggi and his Aprilia RSV4 set a new top speed record of 205 mph and won both races, putting him only three points out of first place in the WSBK championship.
Although he slipped back after Round 6 in Kyalami South Africa to 15 points behind series leader Leon Haslam, Biaggi is still very much a serious contender for the 2010 title.
At the fan event, the current World SBK and former MotoGP star shared his thoughts about racing and life while answering questions from fans that wrote in and from the live audience.
As you might expect from an Italian rider, he prefers the power delivery of the V4 engine configuration to the inline-4s but also mentioned that the Ducati V-twin was "not so bad".
His heroes of old… 500 GP World Champion Wayne Rainey and John Kocinski (who in 1989 won every race he entered in the AMA 250cc National Championship).
When asked for advice about getting started in motorcycle road racing, Max Biaggi says: "take it to the track and wear the right safety gear". Max has worn Dainese gear throughout his long career and has helped with many advances in racing safety.
Biaggi also mentioned that he is a big fan of Supercross. He comes to America each year to see the opening SX race at Anaheim Stadium in California. Being a fan of American racing was not enough to sway him over to burgers and beer… no surprise his favorite meal after a race is spaghetti and meatballs.
After the Q&A, Biaggi held an autograph session and was quite friendly and in good spirits as he begins his mental preparation for World Superbike Round 7 coming to Miller Motorsports Park in Utah on Memorial Day weekend.
As well, earlier in the day, fans got a chance to demo several Aprilia motorcycles and scooters, courtesy of Aprilia USA, including the SXV 550, Mana GT 850, Dorsoduro 750, Tuono 1000, SR 50 and of course the new RSV4 Factory.
One of only two D-Stores in the USA, Dainese’s full collection of riding gear, as well as AGV helmets (as worn by many of the world’s top racers) were on display.
Many left with a complimentary poster signed by Max Biaggi to remember the fantastic day and get revved for the remaining 2010 World Superbike race events.