Italian Max Biaggi has secured the World Superbike Championship at his home track at Imola – his fifth world title in total, adding to his fourth 250cc crowns.
After a long two wheel career, Biaggi sealed the crown with an 11th and fifth place in the two races at Imola, becoming the first Italian to win the World Superbike title.
The fifth place in Race 2 for the flamboyant Aprilia Alitalia rider was enough to ward off the challenge of Leon Haslam.
“I’m so happy, it’s a big emotion through all my body,” the 39-year-old said.
“This is fantastic. It’s like a dream come true, I never stopped to dream to make it happen.”
Ducati rider Carlos Checa won both races at the famous Italian circuit.
At one stage, it had looked like Biaggi would have to wait until the final round next week at Magny Cours, France, to officially claim the title after his 11th place in Race 1. Suzuki’s Haslam needed to finish ahead of Biaggi in Race 2 to keep the title alive, but after a mistake, then an engine failure his challenge.
2010 Standings Riders – FIM Superbike World Championship
| Pos | Rider | Bike | Points |
| 1. | MAX BIAGGI | APRILIA | 413 |
| 2. | LEON HASLAM | SUZUKI | 350 |
| 3. | JONATHAN REA | HONDA | 288 |
| 4. | CARLOS CHECA | DUCATI | 274 |
| 5. | CAL CRUTCHLOW | YAMAHA | 239 |
| 6. | NORIYUKI HAGA | DUCATI | 238 |
| 7. | JAMES TOSELAND | YAMAHA | 187 |
| 8. | SYLVAIN GUINTOLI | SUZUKI | 184 |
| 9. | MICHEL FABRIZIO | DUCATI | 169 |
| 10. | TROY CORSER | BMW | 165 |
| 11. | LEON CAMIER | APRILIA | 164 |
| 12. | SHANE BYRNE | DUCATI | 154 |
| 13. | RUBEN XAUS | BMW | 96 |
| 14. | TOM SYKES | KAWASAKI | 93 |
| 15. | JAKUB SMRZ | APRILIA | 89 |
| 16. | LORENZO LANZI | DUCATI | 83 |
| 17. | LUCA SCASSA | DUCATI | 70 |
| 18. | MAX NEUKIRCHNER | HONDA | 47 |
| 19. | ROGER LEE HAYDEN | KAWASAKI | 10 |
| 20. | CHRIS VERMEULEN | KAWASAKI | 10 |
| 21. | BROC PARKES | HONDA | 9 |
| 22. | JOSHUA BROOKES | HONDA | 6 |
| 23. | MATTEO BAIOCCO | KAWASAKI | 6 |
| 24. | IAN LOWRY | KAWASAKI | 4 |
| 25. | FEDERICO SANDI | APRILIA | 3 |
| 26. | SHERIDAN MORAIS | APRILIA | 3 |
| 27. | ANDREW PITT | BMW | 3 |
| 28. | FABRIZIO LAI | HONDA | 2 |
