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Biaggi to withdraw?

The Roman, who broke his left wrist in a huge turn one accident at Phillip Island on March 2, has been working flat out to try and be fit for this weekend's event - and was a reasonable twelfth in morning practice, but had slipped to 24th by the end of first qualifying.

The triple 2007 race winner will now decide whether or not to continue after Saturday's free practice session.

"Pain is really heavy still," said the disappointed Sterilgarda Go Eleven rider. "I tried to do my best although riding is really hard in these physical conditions. After the session tomorrow morning I will decide whether I will be on the starting grid on Sunday."

Biaggi's double Phillip Island DNF means he is already 52 points behind title leader Troy Bayliss and team manager Marco Borciani hopes the former

MotoGP

star can ride on.

"Max tried to do the best he could and he is not so far from the rivals," said Borciani, referring to the 1.499secs gap between Biaggi and fastest man Max Neukirchner. "I really hope to see him on his bike on Sunday. He could bring home some important points for the championship."

Biaggi's team-mate Ruben Xaus may not be carrying any injuries, but the 2007 Valencia winner could only manage 17th after a fall during first qualifying.

"I fell during the first part of the session," he confirmed. "I slid at the middle of the corner probably due to the cold tyre, thankfully the accident had no consequences. So I had to work on the set-up of the spare machine and I had to run with a soft tyre. All that influenced my performance and I didn't get a good result. I'm sure that tomorrow I will significantly improve my performance."

"I feel confident that Xaus will record one of the best times tomorrow," declared Borciani.

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