Simoncelli not allowed to race WSB

AT the Monza WSB round Marco Simoncelli was seen trying out the Castrol Honda Fireblade for size, expectations were that the afro-haired GP rider would make a wildcard appearance later this year but the taster was to sample the bike for training purposes.

A statement from Gresini Honda says that the team are preparing a Honda CBR1000RR for the Italian and that he will not take part in any of the 2011 World Superbike championship rounds. The FIM rules allow for a MotoGP rider to put in some training laps on certain circuits on a production bike.

Simoncelli made an impression on the WSB championship in a guest ride for Aprilia in 2009 at Imola, the former 250GP champion claimed third place in race two on board the RSV4 - with a tough pass on Max Biaggi securing his place on the podium in race two.

Watch this for your own walk-around of the Castrol Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.