Jason O'Halloran to go world supersport racing?

Jason O’Halloran could be heading to world supersport, with the New South Welshman set to test at Italy’s remodeled Imola circuit on July 15-16.

The “O Show”, who won the 2007 Aussie supersport title, will join countryman Mark Aitchison at Imola, riding a CBR600RR for the Italian-based Althea Honda.

Aitchison has been with Althea all year, initially joined by Mathieu Lagrive before the Frenchman moved to world superbike.

In the last two rounds, Italian superbike contender Flavio Gentile has replaced Lagrive in the second supersport seat, but he has hasn't been a huge revelation. To that end, O’Halloran's presence at Imola is shaping as audition for a more permanent arrangement, and the timing could not be better with his privateer British superbike team deperately short of cash and unlikely to see out the season.

O’Halloran is currently 13th in BSB, with a best finish of eighth. It’s his first year racing full-time overseas after a number of British and world championship guest riders over the past few years.

Andrew Pitt (Honda), Anthony West (Honda) and Garry McCoy (Triumph) will also be present at Imola.

Troy Corser (BMW) will also test at Imola among the superbike fraternity, with championship leader Noriyuki Haga the only real big gun missing.

The Ducati rider is recovering from a massive highside in the last round in Donington, where he suffered multiple fractures. He is almost certain to be back on the starting grid for the next round at Brno from July 24-26.

On the flipside, both Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) and Makota Tamada (Kawasaki) will both return form injury at Imola.

Imola, near Bologna, last hosted a world superbike race in 2006, and has since then undergone a series of changes, including the addition of a new chicane on the main straight.