Reigning 250cc World Champion and full-time Metis Gilera 250 rider, Marco Simoncelli proved he has what it takes to rip around with the best in the Superbike ranks today. The 22-year-old Italian, put in a spectacular one-off World Superbike ride at the legendary Imola racing circuit in his home country.
 
Filling in for an injured Shinya Nakano, who is still dealing with some sort of neck injury, Simoncelli piloted an Aprilia RSV4 along with fellow Italian and teammate for the weekend, Max Biaggi. Despite crashing out of fifth position in the first race, the gregarious Italian kept it upright in Race 2 and finished third, one position ahead of Biaggi, and two spots in front and all-around Superbike ace Ben Spies. Quite the feat considering that up until a few weeks prior he had never ridden a 4-stroke road race motorcycle before.
 
“It was just Monday evening that I decided to participate in this SBK race,” said the Wildman after his podium result. “When I arrived here at Imola, my objective was to enter the Top 5 in Race 1, which I managed to do until the fall. In Race 2 I started off much better and I set a good pace until catching up with Biaggi. I didn't want to make the pass I did, but I ended up long in the straightaway and in order to not end up in the gravel I took the chicane the same way and it ended up fine.”
 
Simoncelli will be back on his Gilera 250cc 2-stroke next weekend in Portugal. With only four races left this season he currently sits in third in the championship standings some 40-points down on the series leader.