Max Biaggi’s prescence at Mugello’s Italian Championship finale was clearly not by chance. The four-time 250cc World Champion and double World Superbike Champion will be back on track as team principal next year with a CIV Moto3 team.
At Valencia’s MotoGP round, Biaggi presented the team that will have full support from Mahindra and will line up two young Italian talents: Davide Baldini, 14-years-old coming from the PreMoto3 and 19-year-old Alessandro Del Bianco who has experience in Moto3.
“Mahindra was looking for an ambassador and at the same time I was interested in using my experience to raise young Italian talents,” said the Roman Emperor. “We started to speak and here we are. For me it’s a new page of my career. For the first time I’m on the other side. I was racing till last year, doing some races in the Supermoto and this is where I spotted Alex Del Bianco. I’m really excited and , at the same time, I feel the responsibility having to deal with such so young kids. Especially Davide.”
BSN sat down with Biaggi at Valencia to get the skinny on his new project and the chances of a move on to the world stage in 2018.
Why this and why now?
“I remember that when I started, we were only me and my father. We had not a clue and we had no mechanic. I want to use my experience and also a professional team to support some young riders, to give them what I couldn’t have when I started. I went to see one race and I realized that with these riders we really need to start from the very beginning. I give you an example: they don’t even wear ear plugs under the helmet. This is so basic.”
Will you work and train with them?
“Until now I have focused on arranging the team. I will bring my people: mechanics with international experience that have been with me many years. We will raise the level so much compared to the others squads, but this was my condition. I want to work with crews that come from the MotoGP or the World Superbike”.
When we will see you in GPs?
“The plan is to do the CIV in 2017 and join the Moto3 class in the GPs in 2018. Mahindra is very committed too. I was impressed by their head quarter in Besozzo, Italy. They are pushing really hard using the best technology available. They want to do well in the Italian Championship and to bring the team in the GPs. Of course we will also have to see if you have the right riders.”
In Italy there is already another rider – a certain Valentino Rossi – who is raising young talents. Are you thinking at an Academy as the VR46?
“I don’t want any rivalry. My idea is not an academy, it’s a racing team. So far I have been busy with the organization, but once everything is fixed I will work more close with the riders. I have so many ideas, from the training to the approach to the race weekend.”
Why have you chosen the Italian series instead of the Spanish World junior championship?
“We know that the level of the Spanish CEV is higher and also the competition among teams. But as an Italian I want to do something for my country and I prefer to be committed with Italian kids. Then the final target is to make experience and join the GPs.”
Will you be severe and strict with your riders as you have always been with yourself?
“I don’t know, I have yet to start with this kind of job. I know what a rider needs. This is for sure and I know that the team needs to be professional. We will be a reference in the CIV paddock. I don’t want that these guys will lack for something”.”
What is the feeling of being back in the MotoGP paddock? Are you missing the races?
“I’m a bit scared of all the traveling. This is something that I haven’t missed at all.”
What about your son? Does he also want to become a rider?
“In this moment he doesn’t look interested in two wheels. He plays football and when I ask him what he would like to be as a grown up, he says whether a football player or a motocross rider. I don’t know where the idea of the motocross comes from.”