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There's no place like home for pole star Biaggi

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Updated: 14:01 EST, 7 May 2011

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Reigning champion Max Biaggi produced a spectacular performance in Superpole qualifying at his home circuit of Monza to claim his first pole position of the 2011 season in the World Superbike series.

The Aprilia Alitalia Racing rider set a lap of one minute 41.745 seconds as he looks to revive his bid to defend his title after falling 43 points off the series leader Carlos Checa following a mixed start to the season.

Biaggi set his new best lap of the 5.777km circuit and an all-time fastest lap average in WSBK history of 204.405kmph.

Back in business: Max Biaggi put in a superb performance in Monza qualifying

Second in Superpole was Eugene Laverty (Yamaha Superbike Racing Team), Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) and Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) completed the front row, with four different bikes in the top four places.

Yamaha's Marco Melandri made the second row along with Leon Haslam (BMW), Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki) and Nori Haga (Aprilia).

But Checa was off the pace and finished in 11th for a third row start.