Stand-in Aprilia rider and reigning 250GP World Champion Marco Simoncelli has said he didn't want to make the pass which shoved team-mate Max Biaggi into the gravel at Imola yesterday but had no choice.

The big-haired Italian got into the final chicane very fast and had the choice of going underneath Biaggi or careering into the gravel and not finishing the race.

It was a wonderful and very intense week. It was just monday evening that I decided to participate in this SBK race and the results were excellent. When I arrived here at Imola, my objective was to be top five in race one, which I managed to do until the fall at Tosa," said Simoncelli.

"In race two I started off much better and I set a good pace until I caught Biaggi. I didn’t want to make the pass I did at the Variante Bassa, but I ended up very fast in the straightaway and in order to not end up in the gravel I took the chicane and it ended up fine. I must thank my Superbike team, that 250cc and Aprilia, for the help they provided and the great opportunity that they gave me.”