Biaggi reflects on “great three days”

Biaggi reflects on “great three days”

Max Biaggi’s improving relationship with the Repsol Honda factory team continued in positive fashion at Sepang this week, where the Italian rider made constant progress and signed off with the second fastest time of the whole session.

Already cited by HRC as their ‘main focus’ for their 2005 MotoGP World Championship assault, Biaggi has quickly shaken off any doubts about his fitness after breaking his ankle last November and heads to Phillip Island for more tests this week looking to consolidate his progress.

“It’s been a great three days, hard work at times, but overall the balance is extremely positive,” said Biaggi. “We collected a lot of really important data working from several areas of the new Honda; chassis, suspension and tyres.

“We are going to the Philip Island test with a much more clear idea about the work we have to do. The data we now have will give the base to develop new parts that will be available after the Australia test. Fast laps were not our priority but they came anyway.

“Yesterday I was the fastest rider on the track, today I went even faster. We definitely destroyed last year’s pole position time. I repeat once again that laps are not important at this particular moment in time but it felt wonderful to come back in the garage and see the satisfaction in my team’s faces.

“The good, solid feeling with my new team grows day by day. We all share the same desire to do a great job.”

Biaggi’s teammate Nicky Hayden expected from the final day following a good session on Saturday but could not find a good rhythm early on and had to find extra energy in the afternoon in order to find the speed and consistency he will need when the championship opens in April.

“After a really good day yesterday I was hoping for better things today but the overnight rain left the track a little bit slick and that didn’t help things,” said Hayden. “It led to me trying too hard and I just couldn’t get the right feeling to get into the rhythm I needed.

“We’ve had three good days here and it’s taught me that I need to find a little bit more speed from myself then get the consistency to put in regular laps at a good pace. Overall we’ve had a good test, Michelin brought some good new tyres to test and HRC have worked really hard.

“It’s OK saying a rider has to work hard in 100ºF (35ºC) heat but so do the team. After six days at Sepang I’m really ready now to move on to Phillip Island.”

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