Biaggi - 'Rossi underestimated Stoner'

SPEAKING to La Gazzeto dello Sport, Max Biaggi has suggested that Valentino Rossi may have bitten off more than he could chew trying to fill Casey Stoner's boots at Ducati.

Biaggi said: 'Stoner was the only one capable of riding that bike in spectacular fashion'

'Rossi has underestimated the talent of Stoner, thinking he could do better...he made ?the wrong choice, an error of judgment - this he has accepted, but it is easy to make errors of judgment.'

'Now Rossi will have to start trying to convince, returning to the performances he did before.'

Speaking on his famous rivalry with Rossi, Biaggi had the following to say:

'It is now just a memory. Now I'm no longer riding, it feels like a pleasant memory, rather than negative.'

'It was a good rivalry and will remain so.'

Biaggi has recently announced his retirement from motorsport at the age of 41, hot on the heels of a World Superbikes championship title. Meanwhile, Rossi is hoping to put his troubled period at Ducati behind him by returning to Yamaha for 2013. At its peak, the rivalry between Biaggi and Rossi was one of the most notable in motorcycle sport.

On the subject of Biaggi's retirement, Rossi recently opined: 'Everyone knows the right moment to stop. Biaggi will stop at the top of WSBK. At 41 he is quite old, so it is a life decision. But anyway, there remain good memories and great battles together.'