Biaggi fined.

An 'eventful' day at Assen has ended with Repsol Honda's Max Biaggi being fined $6000 US by race direction.

Biaggi was involved in two major 'incidents' during the last 10-minutes of today's qualifying session at Assen.

The first involved a collision with Blata WCM rider Franco Battaini, which occurred when Biaggi overtook his fellow Italian - but ran wide and rejoined the circuit immediately ahead of the #27, who had no chance to avoid the Roman.

Battaini was thrown from his machine in the impact and actually clung to the rear of Biaggi's RCV before tumbling off and into the gravel. He would fortunately be able to walk away, while Biaggi crawled back to the pits.

That incident was later deemed a racing incident and both riders and team managers have shaken hands. Indeed, concerns had previously been raised about just such a collision occurring due to the design of the new corner.

"Yesterday we had a riders' meeting to discuss the new chicane and we told the organisers that we want it modified, so that a rider who runs off through the right-hander won't collide with other riders when he regains the track through the left-hander," stated Ducati's Loris Capirossi.

However the second collision, between Biaggi and Marco Melandri, was more controversial - since it was the result of deliberate contact.

Melandri was angry at being blocked by Biaggi and a practice start which Max had performed before the end of the session (which is illegal). The Movistar Honda rider made his feelings known, Biaggi responded and the two machines would make significant contact through the final chicane - with Biaggi almost falling. Afterwards, Melandri was grabbed around the neck by Biaggi's uncle.

Biaggi was subsequently fined a total of $US6000 by race direction for completing a practice start before the session was over and "riding in an irresponsible manner causing danger to other riders" (effectively blocking). No appeal will be made by the Repsol Honda Team.

"Max had an eventful session with two collisions in the final 10-minutes. Both were unfortunate and he did very well to stay on his machine. Race direction have made a decision and Honda won't be appealing," confirmed Repsol Honda team manager Makoto Tanaka.

Biaggi meanwhile made only fleeting reference to the incidents: "Unfortunately I crashed my bike number one when I came into contact with Franco Battaini and so I couldn't use it to do the fastest lap. I had to qualify with bike number two but I'm pretty confident for the race. The team did a good job and we can try to be with the fastest guys in the race."