It is a complete and dramatic triumph for Max Biaggi and Aprilia on the Magny-Cours track.

Biaggi takes his sixth world title and his second SBK title for Aprilia in a brilliant career.

But it was not an easy weekend which was full of drama and required the Champion to show all his mental strength and experience: Max had to fight down to the last turn in order to win the title of World Champion by 0.5 of a point in the closest ever conclusion to the SBK Championship.

Magny-Cours, 7 October 2012 - It was clear from the beginning that Magny-Cours would not be a round for the faint of heart. The weather provided the audience with a breathtaking season finale. Two dramatic races, including a crash from Biaggi in Race 1 provided edge of your seat tension for the last race. A world championship decided at the last turn of the last race.

Max Biaggi: “This is the fourth world championship out of six that I've won in the last race. I guess I must like a difficult challenge! The 2012 season was tight to say the least: we started off well winning at Phillip Island after completely revamping my team, but we also had some difficult moments. We definitely worked for the title and maybe that's why it's an even sweeter victory. I'd like to thank the Team, Aprilia and Piaggio Group, from president Colaninno to the last worker because my success is just the tip of a great Italian company's work. I would also like to thank my family, my girlfriend Eleonora and my two children, as well as the always present Marino Laghi”. 

Gigi Dall'Igna, Aprilia Racing Technical and Sport Director: “Winning is always something extraordinary, but winning a world championship this way, at the last turn of the last race, makes it incredibly exciting. Credit to Max who battled on every circuit, always earning important points and bringing home fantastic victories which led us to this double victory today. Aprilia's victory in the Manufacturer World Championship, thanks also to Laverty, is a reward for a great Group and a Racing Division which are the pride of Italian technology. Applause also goes to our rivals, never before so many and strong enough to make the outcome of this championship uncertain and unforgettable down to the last moment".