Italian Max Biaggi tried right until the end, but the response of the medical exam today quelled any hope that the reigning World Superbike Champion had of racing at Imola in the eleventh round of the World Superbike Championship.

The fracture to the metatarsus on his left foot which he suffered during practice on the German Nurburgring three weeks ago has not healed and prevents even the most basic functionality of the limb for the Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team rider.

Located precisely at the contact point with the shift lever, operated by the left foot, the bone injury prevents any possibility of riding onto the track.

“I came her to try, because my hope was to race on this track which provided me with such great emotion last year, but I have no choice but to painfully acknowledge what has been determined by the last medical exams, conducted just a few minutes ago,” Biaggi said.

“The pain has not let up, the fracture is not healed and I don’t have the mobility to be able to ride. It is very painful for me to be here stating that I cannot race. I hope that now I will be able to recover in time to be back in the saddle at Magny Cours.”

Max wanted to be at Imola for one final try in spite of the discouraging signs after the brace was removed on Tuesday.

Dr. Claudio Costa, who examined Max today in the Mobile Clinic at Imola was not able to place the official seal on a compromised situation.

“It is a bad split fracture which – fortunately – is progressing well,” Dr. Costa said. “But it has not healed and the X-ray today shows that. Max – summoning up reason – was forced to acknowledge the situation.

“Now what he must do is observe complete rest until Sunday and begin the proper therapy on Monday in order to have any hope of racing at Magny Cours.”