Four-time 250cc World champion Max Biaggi will be 34 years old next year when he arrives at the team of his dreams, Repsol Honda MotoGP. Since moving to the premier class in 1998 (then called 500GP), Biaggi has failed to win another championship. Can he finally win at the top level in 2005?
Although Repsol Honda has probably had the best bikes in the paddock since the Doohan era, that might not be the case next year. Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards now both work for Yamaha, where their respected development skills could turn the Yamaha into the best bike for 2005. Nevertheless, Biaggi should be without a viable excuse if he fails to win the championship aboard the Repsol Honda machine.
With the best that Honda has to offer at his disposal, Biaggi will only be able to blame himself if he doesn’t win in 2005. As the senior rider on the squad, Biaggi will likely have more influence on the direction Honda takes with its MotoGP machine. In addition, Honda’s commitment to retake the MotoGP title from Yamaha in 2005 cannot be questioned. Expect Biaggi to receive everything he asks for, within reason.
