Michelin: Pedrosa rides like Biaggi.

Max Biaggi was given another reason to regret his forced MotoGP exit when it was revealed that Dani Pedrosa's riding style, which the 20-year-old rookie has used to such great effect this year, is similar to the Roman's.

Biaggi, a four times 250cc World Champion, spent much of his premier-class career being told that he needed to shake his smooth 250cc style - but advances in electronic control systems have seen the MotoGP emphasis shift back towards a smooth corner-speed orientated approach, one reason why 250cc graduates Pedrosa and Casey Stoner have been able to adapt so quickly to MotoGP.

Pedrosa took his first pole position and victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, round four of the 2006 championship, while Stoner has taken a pole position, podium and led two races.

"Dani took pole position, the race win and the lap record, a great achievement for a rider new to the MotoGP class," said Michelin motorcycle racing director Nicolas Goubert at Shanghai. "We enjoy working with Dani, he gives very precise feedback in the pits, which is a big help to us. He has a very fluid riding style, so he can save his tyres, maybe his style is similar to that of Max."

Biaggi won 13 premier-class races from 1998 to 2004 before being dumped by Repsol Honda at the end of last year... and replaced by Pedrosa.

Due to a lack of competitive options in both MotoGP and WSBK, the Roman Emperor has taken a 'year out' of full time racing - but is thought to be targeting a 2007 return.