Reigning 250GP World Champion Marco Simoncelli has been confirmed as the replacement rider for Shinya Nakano in the Aprilia World Superbike team at Imola next weekend after a successful test at Mugello.

The big-haired Italian stuck in a best lap of 1'53.55, which was exactly the same as Xerox Ducati's Michel Fabrizio did yesterday, and reckons he is quick enough to be competitive this weekend.

"I am very satisfied with this test. I was quite quick and together with the bike managed to improve a lot. We worked to find the right base setting for Imola, where it will be important to find a good set-up as quick as possible, which will make things much easier," said Simoncelli.

"I'd like to thank Aprilia for this great opportunity, I will be making my debut in a category and on a track that are completely unknown to me, the level of our rivals is very high and it won't be at all easy to obtain a good result."