Biaggi runs first laps on Team Alstare Suzuki

MAX'S FIRST SUZUKI RIDE

Former GP star Max Biaggi had his first Superbike experience at Magny-Cours and has begun the process of learning how to ride the Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000. Max tested this year's Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra K6 bikes at a private test at the French circuit. The two days saw variable weather conditions which made Max's job a little harder, but the Italian still managed to put in a considerable number of laps.

MAX

The last time I rode on a racetrack was on the 6th November in 2005 and after nearly a year off, getting onto a racebike again was a slightly strange experience - as you can imagine. The Superbike is heavier than a MotoGP bike and that makes changing direction - in chicanes for example - a little harder. I had a lot to learn in these two days and a lot to think about.

This is the first time I've been to this track and so I had to learn which way round it went before I could even start working on going quickly. Then there is the big difference in tyres, because I've not raced on these Pirellis before. The feeling of them is something that I have to learn to understand but by bit.

I started off by trying to get comfortable on the bike and this meant altering the position of the handlebars, footrests and all the levers. Because I am not very big, I also had to have some extra padding on the seat, so that I didn't slide around too much. No carbon brakes on a Superbike for example so, of course, I have to get used to a different way of braking as well. In fact the whole Superbike package is quite different to what I have been used to. All in all there's a lot to learn, but I've started the process and now I'm looking forward to the next test and continuing my learning curve.

-credit: tas