Fresh off the heels of him wining the 2012 World Superbike Championship, question marks surround Max Biaggi — will he stay with Aprilia for another season and defend his title? Or, will he end his motorcycle racing career on a high, having just collected his sixth world title?
The crystal ball on this subject is uncertain. Though still not re-signed with the factory Aprilia squad for the next World Superbike Championship season, Biaggi did take part in the latest WSBK test at Aragon, which certainly lead to some believing the Roman Emperor would race for at least another season.
However, at 5pm Tuesday, local time, in Vallelunga, Italy, Max Biaggi will be making a yet unknown announcement about his future. The venue is an interesting choice, as Vallelunga is the circuit where Biaggi started his motorcycle racing career, and thus holds a great deal of sentimental value to the Italian rider.
As such, the circuit would provide a great deal of symmetry to Max’s career if he decided to end his career at the same race track — finishing things where they all began.
In a team that is built around Biaggi as a rider, it is interesting to think about whom could ride the top bike in one of World Superbike’s premier teams. Rumor has it that Sylvain Guintoli broke a contract agreement with the Fixi Crescent Suzuki team in order to have a shot at the Aprilia ride, though Guinters is now being linked to the #2 bike in a yet unannounced factory Ducati team. Coincidence? Or did Aprilia find another rider? Perhaps Max is staying put?
With Biaggi and his crew tight-lipped about what the announcement could be about, we are left to speculate as to the contents of the champion’s coming message. However, given the duration of time into the post-season this announcement comes, and that there is even an announcement event in the first place, let alone one at a circuit with so much personal connection to Max Biaggi’s career, smart conjecture is that Biaggi is set to retire from motorcycle racing. It is all very convoluted right now, but as always, time will tell.
Source: Motosprint
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