Italian · Rome, Italy · Born 26 June 1971Max Biaggi, nicknamed 'The Roman Emperor', is an Italian motorcycle racer who won four consecutive 250cc World Championships before becoming a two-time World Superbike Champion, the oldest in the series' history.
Four consecutive 250cc World Championships from 1994 to 1997 gave Max Biaggi the platform for a decade of rivalry with Valentino Rossi in the premier class, and at 41 he added a World Superbike title in 2012, becoming the oldest champion in the category's history. He progressed quickly through the 250cc class, winning the European Championship in 1991 before claiming four consecutive 250cc World Championships from 1994 to 1997 with Aprilia and Honda, becoming known as 'The Roman Emperor' for his commanding, front-running style. Biaggi moved to the premier 500cc class in 1998 and made an immediate impact by winning his very first race — a feat no rider has repeated since — and finishing runner-up to Mick Doohan that season. He competed in MotoGP through 2005, never finishing outside the top five in the championship during his prime years, and became embroiled in one of the sport's most intense and personal rivalries with compatriot Valentino Rossi, contrasting styles and personalities fuelling years of on- and off-track tension. After being released by Honda in 2005, Biaggi moved to World Superbike racing in 2007, and found renewed success with Aprilia, winning back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2012 — becoming, at 41, the oldest rider ever to win the World Superbike title. Across his career he amassed 42 Grand Prix victories, 111 podiums, and 21 World Superbike wins. He was inducted as a MotoGP Legend in 2022 and named an FIM Road Racing Legend in 2020, later founding his own Moto3 racing team.
Four consecutive 250cc World Championships and a legendary rivalry with Valentino Rossi
How They Played
Precise, elegant rider renowned for controlling races from the front and exceptional single-lap pace
Lasting Impact
One of only a handful of riders to win world titles across three distinct categories of motorcycle racing, decades apart
Career Honours
- 4x 250cc World Champion (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
- 2x World Superbike Champion (2010, 2012)
- 3x MotoGP/500cc runner-up (1998, 2001, 2002)
- Won on 500cc premier-class debut, unrepeated since
- MotoGP Legend (2022)
| Constructor | Season(s) | Races |
|---|---|---|
| Aprilia (250cc) | 1991–1996 | — |
| Honda (250cc/500cc) | 1993–1998 | — |
| Yamaha (500cc/MotoGP) | 1999–2002 | — |
| Honda (MotoGP) | 2003–2005 | — |
| Suzuki (WorldSBK) | 2007 | — |
| Ducati (WorldSBK) | 2008 | — |
| Aprilia (WorldSBK) | 2009–2015 | — |
| Career Total | — | 0 |
Italian Athletes