MotoGP: Max Biaggi inducted into the Hall of Fame at Mugello

Max Biaggi has been inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at Mugello ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

Biaggi, now known as an official MotoGP Legend, was presented his medal by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, whilst he was also sent a video message from HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

“This is a very special day for me and, first of all, I need to thank Carmelo and Dorna, who make this happen because with them, nothing was possible, so thank you very much, Carmelo,” Biaggi said at Mugello.

“Secondly, I was to say thanks simply to everyone who made this happen; all the manufacturers I’ve worked with in the past, starting from Aprilia, Honda, Yamaha, and all the people that are here are basically the ones that supported me all the time, in different teams and different situations, in the good days and the bad days.”

Biaggi didn’t start racing until the age of 18 but would go on to become a 250cc specialist, winning four consecutive titles between 1994 and 1997 – three with Aprilia and one with Honda.

The Roman Emperor moved into the 500cc class in 1998 and won on his debut at Suzuka – an achievement which has yet to be repeated in MotoGP.

The Italian finished inside the top five in the standings in each of his eight premier class campaigns, finished as runner-up in 1998, 2001, and 2002. Biaggi also became one of Valentino Rossi’s biggest rivals, with the pair often coming to blows on and off the track.

“I’m also proud that my family really encouraged me in the bad days to still do it and never give up, and they supported me all the time,” Biaggi continued.

“Today, they’re here, my son and my daughter, so this is a very emotional moment because they can now say, ‘Hey, my dad is a Legend,’ so this is something cool. 20 years ago, I didn’t even think about that, so as a man, this is important too.”

Biaggi left MotoGP at the end of 2005, but his racing career was far from over. In 2010 he became Aprilia’s and Italy’s first World Superbike champion, before securing a second crown two years later by only half-a-point ahead of Tom Sykes.

Biaggi is one of only two riders to have won titles in GP racing and WSB, the other being John Kocinski (250cc in 1990 and WSB in 1997).

Biaggi retired at the end of the 2012 season, but returned for four wildcard appearances with Aprilia in 2015 and even managed to finish on the podium (3rd) at Sepang.

Biaggi now has his own team in Moto3, with John McPhee and Ayumu Sasaki racing for the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing Team.

Max Biaggi Grand Prix Stats

• 42 Wins (29 x 250cc, 8 500cc & 5 MotoGP)
• 111 Podiums (53 x 250cc, 58 in 500cc/MotoGP)
• 56 Poles (33 x 250cc, 23 x 500/MotoGP)
• At least one win in seven successive premier class seasons between 1998-2004.
• At least one pole per premier class season between 1998-2004.
• With regards to Italian riders, only Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini have more GP podiums.