Max's ultra trick seat extension. If I tried to squeeze in here, my spine would shoot straight out my nostrils. image by jimola

I didn't realize it, but it's been a long time since I saw Max Biaggi in the flesh, probably close to a decade. The first time I saw him was at Jerez 1995, in the pits, resplendent in Chesterfield Aprilia garb, devilish beard and black cap. Max was sitting on a scooter and laughing it up with Loris Capirossi, both of them looking like teenagers. A cigarette dangling from his mouth would have completed the picture, but of course Biaggi wasn't a smoker. In later years, at GP races, he seemed a bit sturdier, more muscular, with a weightier presence. Still thin as a rail, his diminutive stature belying an innate ability to wrestle 500cc two-stroke GP bikes into submission.

So here we are at Miller, and I'm hovering around the Sterilgarda garage to peek at Max and his bikes. His 1098R had an interesting addition to the seat--a carbon fiber protuberance with a foam cap, meant to push Biaggi more forward on the bike. It was shocking how small it made the rider cockpit--there would be almost no ability for anyone bigger than Max to move fore and aft on the bike. The piece was incredibly trick, beautiful carbon fiber with high gloss and a perfect weave (ok, enough bike porn...) Ruben Xaus's machinery had no such addition, as Ruben is a much lankier guy.

And Biaggi? What had 10 years done to his outward appearance?

Max looked pretty much the same. Still rail thin, with an intense presence. Tremendous style, a crackling, immediate air of deference and servitude from his team when Max rolled into the garage. But there was an easiness from him too, a blush of relaxed wiliness that I hadn't noticed before. Biaggi has been racing motorcycles a very long time, he knows well the limitations of his machine, his team, and himself with absolute assuredness. His finger injury, clearly causing him pain and limited mobility, obviously puts a major damper on his chances for success this weekend. But Biaggi, as well as everyone in the WSBK paddock, knows that he so often rises above such limitations.

On the flight out here, I flew Jet Blue, and watched VH1 Classic the whole time, 80's videos reminding me of fonder days, when I had hair (OK, a mullet) and wore 30/30 Levis. They were showing Prince's "Purple Rain", which was always a guilty pleasure for me. I know it's a stretch, but in some ways, Biaggi reminds me of Prince. They're both geniuses at what they do, highly mysterious, often unapproachable, and both always deliver brilliant performances just when the media starts to doubt them. Their fans never doubt.

The "Purple Rain" CD is still in my collection, I listen to it every few months. I try to check in and listen to Prince's new stuff, and he always surprises me. I've also still got my old AGV Max Biaggi Chesterfield Replica helmet on a shelf; I don't wear it anymore, but still treasure it. Happily, Max Biaggi is still racing motorcycles, and still quite capable of surprising all of us on raceday...