With two proud races, Max Biaggi maintains the distances in the world rider rankings at Silverstone. With two great comebacks team mate Leon Camier ends race 1 in sixth place and takes third in race 2.
Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team comes away from the English weekend at Silverstone with a smile on their faces. Ranking leader Max Biaggi fought with a blade between his teeth in the "fray" of the unleashed home turf riders, determined more than ever to do well.
The results speak clearly: the Corsair with fifth and sixth place maintains a strong hold on the world championship leadership with 60 points advantage over the nearest follower, Haslam, while Aprilia stands out in the manufacturer standings at 53 lengths ahead of Suzuki. Two great races for Leon Camier as well. The reigning British Superbike champion was not intimidated by his sixteenth place on the starting grid and took sixth place in the first race after an unbeatable comeback. Even better in race 2, he rode to the third step of the podium.
This is what Max Biaggi had to say about the English round: "I am coming out of this weekend quite satisfied, even if these are not the placings I could have achieved. It was difficult here, above all adjusting my RSV4 on the bumpy Silverstone track.
In race 2 I finished sixth behind five English riders. I think that the home field factor really gave them some extra motivation."
"A fantastic day – confesses Leon Camier without hiding his emotion – Too bad about the sixteenth starting position. Unfortunately mistakes in Superpole come at a high cost! As the practices showed, the feeling on this circuit was very good from the start and in the race I was able to really push, truly earning a lot of positions. In the first race I finished behind my team mate. In race 2 I was able to lock onto the front group straight away, although Crutchlow and Rea unfortunately were already away. I'm happy for a podium in front of my fans. It's also a nice reward for my team and for Aprilia."
On the brand new Silverstone track, Max Biaggi, undisputed leader in the rankings, wants to celebrate is 100th WSBK race properly. Leon Camier is playing on home turf and aims for a top result.
In a land soaked with motorcycling passion like Great Britain, Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team has every intention of arriving with a three-coloured "wave". With two leaderships to defend on a track which is new to everyone, the team from Veneto can count on the enormous motivation which both colours-bearers have.
The "Corsair", Max Biaggi, is playing the part of a cannibal this season, strengthening a well deserved first place in the rider rankings with victory after victory. The Silverstone round holds a particular taste for him also. His participation in Race 1 will take Max to 100 starting lines in World Superbike. Celebration from the top step of the podium would be the perfect crowning of an exceptional career.
Leon Camier arrives at Silverstone with just as much motivation. The English rider is determined to achieve the best results after to unfortunate races. The reigning British Superbike champion is quickly learning how to work on his RSV4 and the home atmosphere could speed up the apprenticeship.
"To arrive at this stage of the season with a 68 point advantage over the nearest competitor is an astonishing result – declares Max Biaggi – especially considering the fact that we are in our second year in the Championship with a completely new bike. Now that we are out front, we don't want to let the opportunity slip through our fingers. We are earning every single result, considering the great work the Team and I are doing. Silverstone is a track which is new to everyone. I think that right from the first practice laps we'll be able to get a fairly good idea of the quality on the pitch. Our biggest worry are the bumps since the RSV4 doesn't seem to digest them too well, but we also know how to operate. The races at Misano and the second race at Brno showed that our work pays of and the little problems are certainly not insurmountable obstacles. My goal is to be on top 4."
Leon Camier is looking for a perfect weekend: “I'm really looking forward to this race, hopefully we can have a smooth weekend and we can find a rythem fast and not make any mistake! If everthing goes smoothly and we have no problems, we are capable of a good result. It’s going to be a hard weekend as there are 7 brits trying to prove a point and a couple of wild cards that are going to be very fast.
The new track is unknown to everyone so we are all on a level playing field, hopefully the bumps won't hinder the Aprilia too much and we get a good start, but I'm expecting a tougher weekend than ever!”
