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Tuesday saw Max Biaggi, eni FIM Superbike World Champion of 2010 and 2012, take to the race track at Vallelunga on the outskirts of Rome in Italy. This was for the start of a test ahead of next weekend’s second round of the 2015 season, in which Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils riders Leon Haslam and Jordi Torres will be racing at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit for the first time.

For Biaggi, the return to Vallelunga was a special one, with the Italian having won the first WorldSBK race staged there in 2007 as well as announcing his retirement in a special event that was held at the venue late in 2012, after winning his second title.

“Well, this is like a return to the past for me,” the Roman admitted while speaking with Mediaset Italia. “It was here, some years ago, that I announced the end of my sporting career. Obviously, I have mixed feelings being back here now. On the one hand, there is a great desire to be riding bikes, and on the other hand there are memories from a previous chapter in my life. They are nice memories, though, and I’m able to think about them with a smile.”

Nowadays, Biaggi works as a television commentator in Italy, but maintains a role as tester for the Noale-based Aprilia factory.

“I am helping to develop the Superbike,” the 43-year-old adds. “We are continuing the programme, making a few small changes along the way. Thailand is going to be quite a mystery, with high temperatures which could cause some problems. For this reason, we are trying to prevent possible issues.”

The Chang Thai Round, the second race event of 2015, will be staged across the weekend of 20-22 March.