Measuring 1.5m and weighing just 40kg, Max Sabbatani's mechanics have to weigh him down to make the minimum bike and rider restriction. Like many of the young Italian riders he began in minibikes, later moving into the National Scooter Championship which he won. He made his Grand Prix debut in '98 as a wildcard at Imola and was crowned European Champion in the same year. The following year he appeared for the first time in the full entry list, the highlight of his season coming at Motegi when he battled for victory with Masao Azuma before crashing and finishing back in 7th. Since then has struggled for consistency, but after a positive end to 2001 will be looking for his best ever season this time around.