42 replies to this topic

[holiday]

Clear and brief, why has there been such a long and intense rivalry between the two?

And why has Biaggi's career never really took off in 500cc/Moto? He was outstanding in the 250cc class.

Please be neutral and fair, am not interested in answers feeded by animosity towards one of the riders.

[fieraku]

Wow,I need to unlock parts of my brain I haven't used in a while. I'd say a big part of their rivalry was that they were both Italian,hated each other,Rossi taunting and dominating made Max bitter and mad.
I'm not good at remembering races for some reason ,(I can recall soccer matches from 20 years ago though) but I do recall those two literally going at it. It was a great rivalry indeed.

[se7en_24]

Biaggi was supposed to be the next big thing, but Rossi came along instead. Biaggi seems to have had sand in his vagina ever since.

[HP]

In short 2 Italian alpha males that disliked each other, even in times where they didn't race in the same category.

http://www.motogp.co... against biaggi

There is an anecdote being told that Biaggi in 1997 dated Naomi Campbell. Rossi made fun of that, by using a doll, and apparently writing Claudia Schiffer on it.

And of course there were incidents like Japan 2001. Where Biaggi pushed Rossi from the track. Later as Rossi finally passed Biaggi he gave him a midddle finger salute.

As to why Biaggis 500cc career didn't took off. He rode for Suzuki & Yamaha. Honda was the dominating team at that time, and obviously there was no way that both would ride for the same team.

[bigarthurisgod]

Biaggi was supposed to be the next big thing, but Rossi came along instead. Biaggi seems to have had sand in his vagina ever since.

Well that's one way of putting it I suppose!

I think a lot of it centred around Biaggi being a proud Roman and Rossi being more of a "beach bum".
Didn't Vale have a habit of finding out which restaurant Max had booked for a romantic dinner, then go there with his mates and generally fanny about just to annoy him?

A Guy up himself versus a wind up merchant was bound to cause fireworks.

[montoyasminion]

In short 2 Italian alpha males that disliked each other, even in times where they didn't race in the same category.

http://www.motogp.co... against biaggi

There is an anecdote being told that Biaggi in 1997 dated Naomi Campbell. Rossi made fun of that, by using a doll, and apparently writing Claudia Schiffer on it.

And of course there were incidents like Japan 2001. Where Biaggi pushed Rossi from the track. Later as Rossi finally passed Biaggi he gave him a midddle finger salute.

As to why Biaggis 500cc career didn't took off. He rode for Suzuki & Yamaha. Honda was the dominating team at that time, and obviously there was no way that both would ride for the same team.

Didn't he finish second behind Doohan in 98 on a Honda before he left for Yamaha? He was a factory Honda rider in 2005 and finished 5th behind Nicky and Marco on the Gresini. Biaggi did ride 2003 and 2004 for Pons, who weren't exactly slouches but were still 3rd in the Honda pecking order. 2005 was his season to prove himself once and for all and he failed.

Edited by montoyasminion, 29 October 2011 - 15:53.

[manmower]

I think it was Julian Ryder who said in "Faster" that Rossi was a Capirossi fan, too, and that may have been one of the things that started it.

They had completely different backgrounds: Biaggi the Roman who started his motorcycling career almost on a whim and quite late (age 17 or 18) vs. Rossi the son of Graziano from Pesaro, who grew up around bikes and racing. Personality-wise, Biaggi was more of a socialite, whereas Rossi seemed more down to earth.

I guess that at some point Rossi started taking the proverbial piss and Biaggi, well, being Biaggi, was easily riled and in the end self-destructed. There was always something tragic about the high-strung Biaggi, he seemed to be very hard on himself and not strong at all mentally, I think someone in "Faster" (Ryder again?) suggested it was due to losing his mother at a very young age, IIRC.

[Andy35]

Well to be honest Biaggi made a clever move signing with an Italian team and Rossi didn't

Andy

[sopa]

There is one thing about Biaggi I am wondering about, can anyone explain. Why did he stay for so long in 250cc class and won 4 titles on the trot? Why didn't he move up to 500cc earlier? I surely can't imagine e.g Marc Marquez staying and winning four Moto2 titles before going to Moto GP.

[Jimmy]

There is one thing about Biaggi I am wondering about, can anyone explain. Why did he stay for so long in 250cc class and won 4 titles on the trot? Why didn't he move up to 500cc earlier? I surely can't imagine e.g Marc Marquez staying and winning four Moto2 titles before going to Moto GP.

125s and 250s were perceived as more prestigious back then. World titles in their own right much more like weight classes in Boxing. Not quite on par with 500cc(heavyweight) but not much disparity either. A lot of riders made a career out of 125s and 250s.

Now they are recognised only as ladder series classes for young riders looking to get into the MotoGP class. Kind of a shame really as some riders are at a natural, sometimes insurmountable disadvantage on bigger bikes.

[DarthWillie]

Biaggi was supposed to be the next big thing, but Rossi came along instead. Biaggi seems to have had sand in his vagina ever since.

except for the last part this is also how I remember it. Biaggi was set to become the great Italian champion. Biaggi was very much a showman, with Rossi's meteoric rise he hated the fact that he lost a lot of publicity. In Faster I seem to recall Rossi saying something like: we don't like eachother, it happens. From Biaggi's part, I believe he hates Rossi for ruining his chance to become the great italian champion, for Rossi, he was an opponent to destroy. Rossi with his funny behaviour is a tough man for his competitors. He needs to destroy his opponents (eg Sete Gibernau)

[manmower]

With regard to my previous post I've just rechecked the DVD and both quotes are from Michael Scott, not Julian Ryder. And Biaggi's mother did not pass away as I'd mistakenly remembered, but she did abandon the family or at least that's the story.

[hulmerist]

Not as upset as Max Biaggi generally was during his long-running feud with Rossi. Biaggi was Italy's star before Rossi came on the scene, with a quartet of 250cc world titles, but the urbane Roman was the antithesis of the fun-loving boy from the Adriatic coast. When the media linked Biaggi with Naomi Campbell, the supermodel, Rossi celebrated a win by giving a pillion ride to a blow-up doll with the name “Claudia Schiffer” daubed on the back. The bitterness festered, Rossi accusing Biaggi of trying to barge him off the track in Suzuka, Japan, in 2001, prompting a one-fingered salute at 160mph and a rebuke for both from the FIM, motorcycling's governing body.

Then came the infamous punch-up behind the podium at the Catalan Grand Prix that year. Rossi claimed that Biaggi had barged Gibo Badioli, his manager, out of the way so he shouted: “What the f*** do you think you're doing?” Biaggi turned up to the press conference bleeding from his face. Forth noted that Biaggi's faithful assistant, Federica, had blood and scratches on her face. A lot of evil words were spoken, she told Forth. She then claimed that Rossi and his entourage had started the trouble.

“There was a helmet that got smashed against someone,” Forth said. “It got pretty brutal. There'd been a big football match that day and they were revved up.”
Biaggi imploded at the Italian Grand Prix the next year. Irritated when the head of Marlboro's sponsorship refused a last-minute demand that someone cook for 30 of his friends, he attacked the hospitality awnings and tore them down. It is not hard to imagine that such actions were the result of years of Rossi's psychological teasing off the track and brilliant bullying on it. In recent years he has sought to undermine Sete Gibernau and Casey Stoner in similar manner.

Rossi had only a bit-part in the post-race wrecking of Biaggi's car at Mugello in 2004. A few riders, including Colin Edwards and Kurtis Roberts, located it, turned it on its side and started filling it with the detritus of race day. That was when the door to the nearest motorhome swung open. A figure lumbered towards them in the half-shadows and burst out laughing. “No, no,” Rossi said with one of his infectious grins. “It's better on the roof.

[BigCHrome]

125s and 250s were perceived as more prestigious back then. World titles in their own right much more like weight classes in Boxing. Not quite on par with 500cc(heavyweight) but not much disparity either. A lot of riders made a career out of 125s and 250s.

Now they are recognised only as ladder series classes for young riders looking to get into the MotoGP class. Kind of a shame really as some riders are at a natural, sometimes insurmountable disadvantage on bigger bikes.

With the spec tires and fuel limit, it's the bigger drivers that are at a disadvantage....

[Tenmantaylor]

From the sounds of it I'd much rather be friends with Rossi!

[holiday]

From the sounds of it I'd much rather be friends with Rossi!

Not wanting to take sides, but Biaggi always had a bad press. Take this example from above:

“There was a helmet that got smashed against someone,” Forth said. “It got pretty brutal. There'd been a big football match that day and they were revved up.”
Biaggi imploded at the Italian Grand Prix the next year. Irritated when the head of Marlboro's sponsorship refused a last-minute demand that someone cook for 30 of his friends, he attacked the hospitality awnings and tore them down. It is not hard to imagine that such actions were the result of years of Rossi's psychological teasing off the track and brilliant bullying on it.

Cannot see what the rivalry with Rossi has to do with Biaggi freaking out here. The journo brings Rossi into the picture even though Valentino did not even take part in the episode, so a needlessly Rossi-centric interpretation. Or here another example, from crap aunt Wiki:

He has completed the equivalent of a full race distance without issues, while Valentino, testing a Ferrari F1 car during the same year, spun twice. Biaggi was said to have commented, "Finally there's something I can do better than him (Rossi)."

The quote could only have been inserted by a Rossi fan and is, without citation, quite probably entirely made up.

[jonnoj]

Biaggi has little man issues.

But, like so many of these supposed problems between riders, many are created by the press.

[orndorf]

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Biaggi had his chance in 2001 but he crashed to much,the speed was there but not the consistency.

[Ross Stonefeld]

There was something else, because Rossi had a psychotic dislike of Biaggi. There were rumours that when Yamaha switched to Camel in 2006, for all of one year, it was Rossi wanting to screw Biaggi because they were very closely tied. It made next to no sense at the time because they already had Gauloises and Gauloises were quite happy. In fact Gauloises lost their minds and were going to sue Yamaha, if they didn't actually get to that stage.

Because Yamaha wanted out of the Gauloises deal a year early and they(G) heard the jungle drums and were like "sure, but you can't turn around and replace us with another tobacco company or anything." Yamaha does and Gauloises freaks out. No idea if they tore down any awnings, however.

[ehagar]

As to why Biaggis 500cc career didn't took off. He rode for Suzuki & Yamaha. Honda was the dominating team at that time, and obviously there was no way that both would ride for the same team.

He rode for Yamaha and Honda on 500s. He never rode a Suzuki in 500s/MotoGP.

As for never becoming a world champion on the big bikes... The talent and speed was always but sometimes he could just be his own worst enemy.

[SeanValen]

Great entertainment that spat, never liked Biaggi and glad Rossi took the piss out of it

Go Ross

Edited by SeanValen, 30 October 2011 - 01:04.

[goldenboy]

Biaggi is a pompous ********, which made it all the sweeter for rossi...

[Kaiser]

Rossi was spoiled punk, who had everything handed to him on a silver platter

[cheapracer]

And why has Biaggi's career never really took off in 500cc/Moto? He was outstanding in the 250cc class.

Not sure how you come to that conclusion, he did every thing he had to other than win a Championship. Never had a chance against Doohan and Honda, what rider did but came 2nd in his first year to Doohan and then went to Yamahaand did pretty well with 2nd's and 3rd's in the Championship with solid deserved wins. When he finally got onto a Honda it wasn't a good team and he had been in the sport a long time by then.

Overall he was a failure of bad PR, a lot of it his own doing but was a terrific rider and sensational on 250's of course.

[cheapracer]

Rossi was spoiled punk, who had everything handed to him on a silver platter

Besides being OT, so what? Most gifted rider to ever straddle a bike and I don't care what happens outside of the start to the finish of a race.

A big disappointment for me was to never see Biaggi Vs Rossi on 250's.

[DrProzac]

There is an anecdote being told that Biaggi in 1997 dated Naomi Campbell. Rossi made fun of that, by using a doll, and apparently writing Claudia Schiffer on it.

[holiday]

IIRC, Rossi drove around the circuit with this sex doll as passenger. That was pretty funny for outsiders, but Biaggi had a right to be pissed.

[Tarzaan]

Clear and brief, why has there been such a long and intense rivalry between the two?

And why has Biaggi's career never really took off in 500cc/Moto? He was outstanding in the 250cc class.

Please be neutral and fair, am not interested in answers feeded by animosity towards one of the riders.

In his first season in 500 Maxi almost beat the big Doohan with his private bike. After this Max change to Yamaha. He was the best rider in that bike (in 2000 there was 4 or 5 full factory supported Yamaha on the grid), but the Yamaha vas very similar to the ducati 800 : is was fast but easy to fall with it. In 02 he was secont with the 4stroke Yamaha in the WDC althougt that their engine has only about 850ccm and their chassies was the 500 ccm bikes chassies. Ha also was very strong with the private Pons Honda (which has less suppport than the Gresini of Sete). In 05 he get the Repsol, but that time HRC favoured Hayden. Biaggi didn't like that and he didn't zip his mouth, so HRC fired him and he become persona non grata in the GP paddock.

So IMHO Biaggi vas very close to become a world champion in the 500/MotoGP, he was better rider than Criville, Roberts Jr or Hayden, but he has no lack with his contracts and his image.

Rossi get a full factory Honda in his first year in the GP, and he get the best factory support and management in his whole carrier.

[H2H]

There is an anecdote being told that Biaggi in 1997 dated Naomi Campbell. Rossi made fun of that, by using a doll, and apparently writing Claudia Schiffer on it.

Skiffer not Schiffer. K is often used instead of ch in informal texts, and in this case it was done to avoid formal problems. Not that it was hard to guess who was meant.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Eh? When and where has it been spelled Skiffer?

[Gilles4Ever]

[holiday]

The flag, the doll on the motobike, did he forget the fridge? lol

[ViMaMo]

I read somewhere that the Italian media has to be blamed for their rivalry. They were milking both of them.

[T-Mobile]

That picture is hilarious - I'd love to see the expression on his face under that visor.

[holiday]

That picture is hilarious - I'd love to see the expression on his face under that visor.

Yeah, but the score is still clear as hell 1-0 for Biaggi or would you prefer a plastic doll on your bike over Naomi in bed?

[expert]

I don't understand how the "Skiffer" doll makes fun of Biaggi?

And since when has a racer dating a model been a cause for comment?

Maybe it's an Italian thing....

[F1Champion]

Rossi had only a bit-part in the post-race wrecking of Biaggi's car at Mugello in 2004. A few riders, including Colin Edwards and Kurtis Roberts, located it, turned it on its side and started filling it with the detritus of race day. That was when the door to the nearest motorhome swung open. A figure lumbered towards them in the half-shadows and burst out laughing. “No, no,” Rossi said with one of his infectious grins. “It's better on the roof.

[manmower]

"Rossifumi"... my my how time flies.

[holiday]

"Rossifumi"... my my how time flies.

Not really. Rossi is still the man to beat adjusted for his **** Ducati and recent injury. Hopefully, Marco's accident won't affect him professionally.

[GregAU]

Not really. Rossi is still the man to beat adjusted for his **** Ducati and recent injury. Hopefully, Marco's accident won't affect him professionally.

Stoner seemed to be able to win on said **** Ducati and cake walked the RC this year so doesnt that make him the man to beat?

[tkulla]

Not really. Rossi is still the man to beat adjusted for his **** Ducati and recent injury. Hopefully, Marco's accident won't affect him professionally.

Can't agree there. I think Jorge and Casey are at least as good at this point (and Nicky seems awfully close to Vale these days and has out qualified him a lot recently).

[Atreiu]

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Biaggi had his chance in 2001 but he crashed to much,the speed was there but not the consistency.

His best chance was in 1998, IMO.

The Honda was still dominant and Rossi won just enough to make it clear in 2001. The best Biaggi could have done then was the keep up, which he did. But does seem to have always lacked that last ounce of mental toughness that Rossi had in bucketloads.

Too bad it took Biaggi so long to get a Honda.

[manmower]

Not really. Rossi is still the man to beat adjusted for his **** Ducati and recent injury. Hopefully, Marco's accident won't affect him professionally.

Haha, I just meant that nickname took me way back.