what is Max going to do??

asha · 18 Sep 2002, 23:31 (Ref:383791)

well he isn't going to be with Yamaha and its doubtful, with Mab. sponsoring the ducati team, that he will have the same sponsor.

So what the hell is he going to do?

My own opinion is that he will be on a Honda probably with the Pramac team (they had a million bucks to get Harada to ride this year) on a V5 honda. I can see Erv Kenamoto (Max's mechanic in 98) rubbing his hands together already.

Rumor have it that Kenemoto and VanDerGbg haven't been seeing eye to eye much.

But really Max have been around long enough to know that the honda is the only way to go. And no matter what anyone thinks of Biaggi at worst he is the 2nd best rider in the world.

2nd in 98
5th? in 99 (first year with yamaha)
3rd in 2000
2nd 2001
and probably 2nd again in 2002

" I would like to answer the ones [questions] of you asking me about my future. Guys, it's still early and I don't tell this because I like to let people hanging on but because I want to take my time in order to get the right decision. There are different, good, opportunities, one very recent, and I want to think to them. I'm sure you'll understand. " Max.
from max-biaggi.com (Sept 18 2002)

f1manoz · 18 Sep 2002, 23:43 (Ref:383798)

I reckon he could make a return to Kanemoto, but only if he gets his hands on a V5 Honda. Otherwise there are few options. I doubt Kawasaki are interested in him, while all the other manufacturers have their seats filled up.

pink69 · 19 Sep 2002, 08:23 (Ref:383946)

Yes, 99 was Biaggi's first year with Yamaha.

alesi95 · 19 Sep 2002, 10:23 (Ref:383995)

Yeah I really hope Biaggi lands a Honda ride 98 was probably his best year.
He is starting to be cast as the new "Luca Cadalora".

f1manoz · 19 Sep 2002, 11:36 (Ref:384058)

Now there is a rider who should have won at least one 500cc title - Luca that is. Brilliant rider, but just never in the right place at the right time. But he always gave Mick a run for his money when the oppurtunity arose.

Airhead · 19 Sep 2002, 12:20 (Ref:384104)

Luca??

Your kidding? Gave Mick a run for his money? We've been watching different races or racers!

f1manoz · 19 Sep 2002, 13:13 (Ref:384135)

Not kidding

1996 when Luca was on a private Yamaha (can't quite remember who run it) he was (well, sort of) always closer to Mick than everyone else.

Luca was always seen as the 'coming man' in the early 90s after Mick Doohan. But it just fell apart after a while. What didn't help was that Italian way of falling apart when the pressure hit. I'm not saying he was in any way, shape or form better than Mick, but he's better than what he's given credit for.

racer69 · 19 Sep 2002, 13:29 (Ref:384143)

Luca deserved more than he got out of it, he rode for some pretty good teams as well, Rothmans Honda in 250cc (won a few world titles didn't he?) I wonder why he didn't move to 500s with them, from memory they wanted him to have another year in 250s before moving to 500s, but he wanted to go then, which was '93 i think, yeah because he replaced Kocinski at Marlboro Yamaha Team Roberts, which was probably the best at the time, and while he did ok, didn't really get as much out of it as Rainey did.

I think he rode a private Honda in 1996 and did pretty well. In 1997 he moved to the Powerhorse Yamaha team alongside Troy Corser, which of course turned into the Red Bull WCM team halfway through the year, which we still have today. The last i heard of him was he was the Ducati test rider in 2000, raced at Donnington and had a 17th and 15th from memory.

Back on topic, If i were Biaggi i would be worried. Kanemoto don't have a confirmed place on next years grid, much less confirmed with a V5, and Dorna is apparently already unhappy about the number of V5s on the grid, actually maybe if Biaggi looked like not getting a ride maybe Dorna would step in and find him a ride?

While i continue this endless ramble it is actually interesting that Biaggi doesn't have a ride yet, and his place at Yamaha hasn't been filled and now that Hayden has gone Honda there is no obvious candidate for that ride, could we have a reconcilliation?

alesi95 · 19 Sep 2002, 14:42 (Ref:384179)

Didn't Luca ride a Kanemoto Honda in 96?
It was white I remember that.

Winther · 19 Sep 2002, 18:52 (Ref:384311)

Well a Pramac RCV Honda....look out...the Honda Gp is upon us

Well now we can see how that will work out for him....

asha · 20 Sep 2002, 01:00 (Ref:384513)

And with all this 'teams championship' stuff one wonders if there is a need to give Kato a teammate?

f1manoz · 20 Sep 2002, 01:31 (Ref:384527)

Cadalora rode a Yamaha in 1996.

racer69 · 20 Sep 2002, 13:56 (Ref:384847)

I had a look in an old Auto Action and it said that Luca rode a Honda, mistake or not, i dunno? i know he rode for Promoter Yamaha in '97 alongside Troy Corser., which halfway through turned into Red Bull WCM.

**gomick** · 21 Sep 2002, 01:01 (Ref:385127)

the only yamha's cadalora rode were the marlboro (roberts) and redbull (wcm).... in between he rode the kanemoto honda which was white in 1996

f1manoz · 21 Sep 2002, 01:06 (Ref:385128)

It was a Honda? Damn, I've got a bad memory!

I do remember the white bike in 1996, but I've always thought it was a Yamaha. I stand corrected.