Max Biaggi ensured a stunning return to World Superbikes action at Misano as he was able to put his Aprilia RSV4 on the top of the timesheets in first practice.
Biaggi’s 1’35.684 was just 0.055s off Tom Sykes’ lap record set last year on the Kawasaki as the 43-year-old was the only man in the 1’35 bracket at the end of the first session in Italy.
Returning to World Superbikes for the first time in three years as a wildcard, Biaggi was on form straight away and it wasn’t long before he took the Aprilia to the top of the leaderboard. Although he was chased down in the session by a variety of riders including Chaz Davies, Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes and Jordi Torres none could overhaul him as the ‘Roman Emperor’ made an incredible return to racing.
Davies was closest to the Italian’s time but the Welshman could only post a 1’36.156 to keep himself second ahead of championship leader Rea, who took a best time of 1’36.201. Davies’ team-mate Davide Giugliano endured a less enjoyable morning as the Italian high sided his Panigale on lap one, putting him out of action for the remainder of the session.
The wildcard fun wasn’t confined to Biaggi’s time-topping antics, as Markus Reiterberger secured fourth place - the German Superbike star is competing at Misano as a wildcard with Van Zon Remeha BMW, the same team he competes in the German Superbike Championship (IDM) with.
Sylvain Guintoli was impressive in first practice as the Frenchman took fifth on his Pata Honda with a time of 1’36.343 but his team-mate Michael Van Der Mark had a poor morning, languishing in 17th.
Despite enjoying something of a resurgence in recent rounds, including a double win at Donington, Tom Sykes was only able to muster up a 1’36.425, which placed him sixth. Sykes has won Superpole at Misano for the last three years, so expect him to come to the fore as the practice and qualifying sessions advance.
Rounding out the top ten were the Red Devils Aprilia duo of Jordi Torres and Leon Haslam, seventh and ninth, respectively, as Alex Lowes split them in eighth on his Crescent Suzuki. Ayrton Badovini secured tenth place in a competitive session with a fine 1’36.771 of his own on the BMW, as his season goes from strength to strength.
Although Alex Lowes was able to perform admirably for Suzuki, it was another miserable morning for his team-mate Randy DePuniet, who finished 18th with a 1’38.570 - almost three seconds off the superb Biaggi.
