Biaggi Regrets Altercation with Melandri

Last weekend's World Superbike meeting at Donington Park was full of incidents, from Maxime Berger losing the rear wheel of his Ducati in Race 1 to Marco Melandri scoring his first WSBK win in career at his only 3rd start in the series. However, all of that was previewed by a controversial duel in qualifying, between reigning world champion Max Biaggi and his fellow countryman Melandri.

While trying to set a fastest lap in super pole, Melandri met with Biaggi on the track and the latter pulled across him, blocking his way to a good qualy time. Needless to say, the Yamaha rider did not take long to respond, applauding sarcastically and doing some blocking maneuvers of his own on Biaggi.

Later on, the two met in the pitlane and had an unorthodox change of lines, during which Biaggi gave the WSBK rookie a couple of slaps.

A few days after the incident, Biaggi gave a lengthly interview to Virgin Radio, later printed in GPOne.com, in which he apologizes for his actions and admits to have been foolish to have responded to Melandri's provocation.

“I acted silly. A world champion shouldn't respond to provocation. I'm sorry I got involved in all of that. I'm sorry because I didn't need to do that. Everyone can make mistakes, I'm human just like everyone else, and what matters is recognizing your errors. I'm very good at some things, but also really foolish when it comes to others,” he reckoned.

“Melandri likes to complain a lot. When he was in MotoGP with us, he said that Rossi was getting special tyres, that Capirossi was stealing his pay-check, and had a comment for everyone. Now that he's in Superbike, he is having problems with poor old Biaggi. Kidding aside, I'm not going to respond to Melandri's comments, because that would be falling for the same provocation twice.”

“I can only discuss the facts. We were actually judged by Race Direction at the track, who spoke with us and our team managers, and who said that I did hold him up, but that it was involuntary. Meanwhile, what he did was judged to be voluntary. Both voluntary and involuntary actions are punishable, and in this case we were penalised equally.”

“Then, the fact that I went to his garage after Superpole was in response to his provocation, where he gave me a sarcastic applause. It made me mad, and I was silly to fall into his trap and play his game. For that I am sorry. I know I made a mistake, and made a gesture that wasn't appropriate. But I'm like that. I'm not able to be fake and I have always been direct.”

“Next time I won't respond to any provocation. And if we went back through the years, do you know how many incidents we would find where I was in the right? But I don't want to get into that type of conversation. I've made my comment on Race Direction's decision, and all the rest is just talk.”