Batman needs The Joker. The Beatles needed The Rolling Stones. For years, Max Biaggi fulfilled that villain role for fan favorite and heir apparent Valentino Rossi. For some, those heated exchanges with The Doctor, both on and off the track, defined Mad Max’s 500cc/MotoGP career. However, his days in the premier class only represent a small portion of Biaggi’s contribution to the sport.
Prior to his tenure in the top category, Biaggi dominated the 250cc Grand Prix series. His early years in the intermediate class were marked by steady progression, but Biaggi shot to the front of the pack when he joined the Chesterfield Aprilia team in 1994. Aboard the Aprilia RSV250, the Italian rider led the Italian marque to three consecutive 250cc Grand Prix titles. Despite that success, Biaggi switched to the Marlboro Kanemoto team in 1997. The change of scenery also came with a change of machinery, but he still secured his fourth-consecutive 250cc championship with the Honda NSR250.
