late apex

From Speed TV -

WSBK: Biaggi Out at Alstare Suzuki
Written by: Dennis Noyes Borrego Springs, CA – 10/18/2007



Last minute attempts to come to a three-way agreement that would have kept Italian superstar Max Biaggi on the Alstare Suzuki Superbike team have failed. A brief press release from the team puts an end to several weeks of uncertainty:

SUZUKI AND ALSTARE PART COMPANY WITH MAX BIAGGI

“With reference to the current situation Team Alstare is facing regarding sponsorship, it is with regret and sadness that the team announces that it will not renewing its contract with Max Biaggi for 2008.

Suzuki and Team Alstare would like to thank Max Biaggi for his great performances and results achieved during the 2007 season, and also for his technical contribution.

Suzuki and Team Alstare would like to wish Max Biaggi all the best for the future.”

Biaggi won three races this season and contended for the title until the final day of the season in Magny-Cours, eventually finishing third, 18 points back of eventual World Champion James Toseland (Ten Kate Honda), 16 back of runner-up Noriyuki Haga (Santander Yamaha), and 25 points in front of 2006 champion Troy Bayliss on the factory Xerox Ducati 999.

Biaggi had originally asked for a significant increase in salary for 2008, but he told SpeedTV.com after his win in Vallelunga that he had lowered his demands in hopes of reaching a compromise.

“The money is not so important,” said the four times 250 World Champion and one of the top 500 and MotoGP riders of our time (Max won 13 races in the premier class of Grand Prix racing and was second three times, third thrice, fourth once, and fifth once, in addition to the 29 wins in 250). “What I have also asked for is more involvement by Suzuki Japan. I spoke to the factory tester and learned that almost all Suzuki’s test time was devoted to the GSV-R 800 GP bike and I have asked for big improvements in the Suzuki Superbike program.”

Whatever the reason for the split, Suzuki and Batta were unable to meet Max’s requirements. Alstare lost their major sponsor, Corona Extra, after ten years with the team and have not yet named the replacement.

The situation in Alstare was already complicated because the team had signed pre-contract agreements with two riders, Spain’s Fonsi Nieto and Germany’s Max Neukirchner, and veteran Yukio Kagayama was already confirmed by Suzuki Japan as a member of the team.

Nieto, who finished the season with a brilliant ride to third in his last outing on the PSG-1 Kawasaki, said, “I was never worried about my place in the team because I had Francis’ word.” Nieto came 12th overall in the championship.

Neukirchner replaced the injured Kagayama at the final race of the season and was impressive, taking second in Superpole and fourth in race one before crashing out of race two. The young German, who rode for Suzuki Germany until his replacement rides on the Alstare Suzuki, was a strong ninth in the series, the second best ‘satellite team’ rider to Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati), who was sixth.

jwfzr

Dang that guy just does not get along with people. I've heard that he had an offer with a GP satellite team but nothing comfirmed. This could be the end of Max.

Buckwheat

Heck, AMA's got some seats...He could be racin' against Collin and Neil year after next. I'd pay to see that.

gixxerjeff

i read/heard this too

you fucking wish!

Buckwheat

[quote=gixxerjeff;833233you fucking wish![/QUOTE]

Uh Huh... even said it.

jwfzr

By 09 he may have pissed everyone off so bad in every other series that he could be in the ama. Edwards is planning on being back then as well.

Buckwheat

I really like how Biaggi came out swinging at his first round, first race of the year win. I didn't think he had the fortitude to go faring to faring with the WSB ranks post pre-modona GP days. Couldn't have been proved wronger.
Even won a few shoe/foot (crow) eaters during the season. Another year layoff for MaXimo will only help teach him to relax (while rossi's stressing over tires & taxes) while getting hungrier and more focused for the time of racing no matter what the series.

Rippn

...Huosung!!!!!!
free and clean, Ripp'n