Biaggi: "Happy with the podium, especially given the injury"
Tuesday, 4 August 2015 11:52 GMT
The Italian rider once more in the record books after the third place in Race 1 at Sepang.
Two-time World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi made history once again by scoring a podium finish at the Sepang International Circuit in Race 1, the Italian improving his own record of being the oldest rider ever to finish in the top 3 in a WorldSBK Race. As the 44-year-old from Rome, Italy, revealed at the end of race day, he was able to achieve this historic result despite a shoulder dislocation and an ankle injury, both sustained the week before during a four-day private test at the same track.
“Now that the weekend is over I can reveal that my crash during the tests last week left me with a shoulder dislocation on the left side and an injury that required stitches on my right ankle”, Biaggi admitted. “It was mainly the shoulder that bothered me, especially in the more flowing parts of the track.”
After ending the first day of action on top of the standings and claiming a front-row start in Superpole, Biaggi rode a consistent Race 1 as he brilliantly fended off a determined Jordi Torres and the reigning Champion Sylvain Guintoli, eventually crossing the line in third place.
The second outing of the day in Malaysia was not as fortunate for the six-time World Champion, who found himself out of the race after coming together with Guintoli on the first lap.
“My race pace was consistent. Rea, Davies and Sykes pulled away at the front at the start as I tried to find my pace while keeping an eye on tyre wear. It wasn't easy because I had to push at the same time. After overtaking my team mates I began to focus on Sykes who was getting closer and closer. I managed to catch him up and overtake on the last lap. I'm super happy. This is the result I was dreaming of, a real cherry on top and the best I could have hoped to achieve. The crash in Race 2 doesn't take anything away from my satisfaction”.
With the second half of his two-round WorldSBK return over, Max will now enjoy the rest of summer with his family.
