New World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi has tipped 2012 runner-up Tom Sykes as a future crown wearer after narrowly beating the Huddersfield man to this year's title by half a point at Magny-Cours yesterday.

The Roman Emperor did just enough to take the title, bringing his factory Aprilia home in fifth place as Sykes took the win in race two but says that Sykes' time will come to be the man at the top.

"Psychologically, it was very tough. I still don't know what happened in race one as I wasn't too hard on the brakes. Race two it was a drying track, which is the most difficult. But I'm here, I'm happy but not to take anything away from Tom. It was my time but next it will be his time," said Biaggi.

“This is the fourth world championship out of six that I've won in the last race. I guess I must like a difficult challenge! The 2012 season was tight to say the least: we started off well winning at Phillip Island after completely revamping my team, but we also had some difficult moments.

"We definitely worked for the title and maybe that's why it's an even sweeter victory. I'd like to thank the Team, Aprilia and Piaggio Group, from president Colaninno to the last worker because my success is just the tip of a great Italian company's work. I would also like to thank my family, my girlfriend Eleonora and my two children, as well as the always present Marino Laghi."