Has Biaggi lost it?

Has the roman emporer lost his fire, his determination?

Dont get me wrong, i like Max . He's a good character to have around and 'on his day' he is one of the worlds fastest.

But it seems to me now that he is just happy being No3???

Thoughts???

ron, it looks like ur right with max, but i thought he did well on sunday concidering..

I don't care what critics say about losing determination because it has been said about Biaggi and Roberts. Riders who make it to this level don't do so by being content to ride around for 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, etc. It bothers me when critics accuse riders of not being motivated anymore because no rider would simply ride around on a MotoGP machine just to pay the bills. Money isn't the reason these riders do what they do, the risk can potentially be too high. So what I'm saying is no, Biaggi has not lost his determination. What I will say is his day has passed him. Mentally he has been beaten since 2003 when he finally got the Honda he claimed was a necessity to win the title and still finished 3rd. Then when Rossi switched to a "bike that can't win" and still beat him how demoralizing is that? And then for Biaggi to get the Repsol ride he so desparately wanted and qualify 16th in his first race with the team. I think Max has reached the end of his wits. He is no longer the top challenger to Rossi, is not the top man at Honda, and in all honesty may not be the clear cut number one rider in his own garage. He just doesn't have the speed or the mental toughness he had in 2001.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost69 @ May 18 2005, 03:34 PM)<div class='quotemain'>I don't care what critics say about losing determination because it has been said about Biaggi and Roberts.  Riders who make it to this level don't do so by being content to ride around for 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, etc.  It bothers me when critics accuse riders of not being motivated anymore because no rider would simply ride around on a MotoGP machine just to pay the bills.  Money isn't the reason these riders do what they do, the risk can potentially be too high.  So what I'm saying is no, Biaggi has not lost his determination.  What I will say is his day has passed him.  Mentally he has been beaten since 2003 when he finally got the Honda he claimed was a necessity to win the title and still finished 3rd.  Then when Rossi switched to a "bike that can't win" and still beat him how demoralizing is that?  And then for Biaggi to get the Repsol ride he so desparately wanted and qualify 16th in his first race with the team.  I think Max has reached the end of his wits.  He is no longer the top challenger to Rossi, is not the top man at Honda, and in all honesty may not be the clear cut number one rider in his own garage.  He just doesn't have the speed or the mental toughness he had in 2001.
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Thats basically what i meant.

Ok so he doesnt do it for the money, or to finish 3rd, he is a winner but yes i think he has past it, unfortunately.

Some see it as unfortunate, some don't care. I would be the latter.

dont really care for Max at all, that shouldnt suprise you, but has he lost it hmmmm, why would he then step up from a satellite team to the factory team? they are not going to give the bike to someone because he wants to cruise around. I think there is something brewing with old Max, a change of style/strategy?? go for maximum points and build a season

Why he went up to a factory ride from a sattelite ride? I guess the way I see that is what other choice did Honda have? There were no riders available that equaled his talent and the young riders showing potential that were available were not sponsor friendly.

I like Max, and what a brave ride considering he had that massive off in the morning.

HRC expect greatness from all their riders so that extra pressure is there also..

Could be a building year but would like to see life in the old dog yet.

can he win a race this year? id say yes

I don't think he has it in him.