Biaggi Sees Lorenzo Vs. Stoner Battle for 2011 Title

Nobody seems to take Valentino Rossi seriously for the 2011 MotoGP campaign these days, as the Italian's move to Ducati led many to believe that he won't be a contender for the next year's title. After the very reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo, now WSBK ace and former rival of Rossi, Max Biaggi, seems to think the 2011 title will be a Lorenzo-Casey Stoner affair.

“Lorenzo had an outstanding season and did a great job - it was really good. I am convinced that he will be the man to beat again next year. But beware Stoner...” Biaggi was quoted as saying in a recent interview with Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Roman Emperor, as Biaggi goes by within his fan clubs from across Italy, used to be one of Rossi's main rivals in the MotoGP, until he decided to switch to World Superbikes in 2007. The rivalry between those two Italian riders is a well known fact inside the motor racing world, and now Biaggi did not miss the opportunity to “forget” Rossi when referring to the 2011 MotorGP fight.

In addition, the Roman also saluted Lorenzo's dominant campaign in 2010, as the Spaniard finally got to beat Rossi for the world title after 3 years of trying (Rossi's countless injuries sure played a big role in that, we'd add).

Earlier this week, Lorenzo himself admitted that he regards Stoner as his fiercest rival next year, as Honda seems to have the strongest package from all Yamaha's rivals next season. He actually pointed out that Stoner will likely beat his new teammates at Honda – Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa – and will constantly emerge into a top contender for the MotoGP title from 2011 onwards.