Returning World Superbike star Max Biaggi left Misano pleased with first races back since retiring in 2012 but warned the pack that the Italian round was just a running-in period and at Sepang he aims ‘to do well’.

The Roman Emperor, who was fastest in Friday’s sessions, eventually bagged a brace of sixth places in his native country but struggled on the opening laps as he was divebombed from all sides.

“I’m happy with this weekend. Everything went well and we didn't make any mistakes. Race two went better than the first. I finished about 5 seconds behind the winner, which is really not much at all. It's a shame about the first laps when you find yourself following from behind it's a struggle. I am still unable to take full advantage of the tyres straight away, whereas from mid-race I felt fast but struggling to overtake I lost a few tenths every lap,” said Biaggi.

“This type of return is definitely not easy, but it was a great weekend, tackled with a different spirit than someone who races full time in the championship. Now I'm hoping for the cherry on the top: Sepang. This round was sort of a running-in and we can consider it to be truly satisfactory. Next time we'll be able to do well.”