Max Biaggi Injured in MTB Crash, Uncertain for Qatar, also Under Investigation for Tax Fraud
After confirming that he would take part in the final round of the 2015 World Superbike Championship in Qatar, Max Biaggi’s presence at Losail this weekend is no longer a sure thing. The multiple World Champion has taken a fall from his mountain bike and sustained muscular injuries that may prevent him from racing.
According to Biaggi, he crashed while riding a mountain bike in the hills around Monte Carlo, his residence. The retired WSBK racer says that he felt pains in his left leg and abdomen.
The first investigations revealed that the problem may lie with internal muscles, and Biaggi traveled to a specialist in Italy to assess the situation more accurately. “I am very doubtful about my chances of racing in Qatar, but we are trying. Soon we will have some more news, and we will have a better idea,” Biaggi adds.
Max Biaggi was supposed to take part in the final act of the World Superbike astride an Aprilia RSV. This should have been his third round with Aprilia this year for the 44-year-old rider. He has even participated in a 4-day private test at Losail to get acquainted with the Qatari circuit and its nighttime racing schedule. Further information is expected from Biaggi soon.
Max Biaggi is expected in court at Rome in September 2016 for alleged tax fraud of €18 million
Italian tax authorities had the court indict Max Biaggi over an alleged tax fraud for the hefty sum of €18 million ($20.59 mil), insella reports. The Roman rider is under investigation of having fraudulently established his residence in the Principality of Monaco in order to avoid paying taxes due to the Italian state.
Reports say that Biaggi allegedly avoided to pay income and added value tax, plus interest and administrative penalties for €17,852,261.95 ($20,426,825, by today’s exchange rate). The money is said to have been earned prior to 2012 from endorsement contracts with Dainese.
Biaggi replied in amazement to learn that this matter surfaced now, despite being an old one. He added that he has been living in Monte Carlo since 1992, and already has two sons born there. He indicated that the problem lies with him not paying what Equitalia (local tax management organization) provisionally established. Biaggi is expected to appear in front of Judge Bruno Costantini in Rome, September 15, 2016.
The list of other big names in motorcycle racing with tax problems in the past also includes Valentino Rossi, who has moved his residence in London, UK. He paid a €30 million ($34.32 mil in today’s money) fine for somewhat similar tax issues involving the online Swiss bank HSBC.
