According to a press release from Castrol Honda, former World Superbike champion Colin Edwards II broke the lap record at Imola today during a one day long Honda test.

The release reads:

Castrol Hondašs Colin Edwards smashed the lap record at the Imola circuit in Italy on Monday during a one-day test session ahead of the final round of the World Superbike championship.

Edwards was 1.2s inside the existing record as the 28-year-old American rider goes in search of victory in the decisive 13th round of the championship at the Imola track on September 29.

He powered the SP-2 Honda machine around the 3.04-mile circuit in 1:48.10 and remains confident of taking a second title, adding to his 2000 success.

"We've had a good test, I've done a lot of miles and now Išm ready to race," said Edwards. "The guys from Michelin and Showa have gone home happy and I think wešre just about set for the final round here next week."

Edwards' lap time was also faster than the fastest lap recorded in last year's inaugural World Superbike round at the famous Italian venue. That lap was set by Ruben Xaus, at 1:48.462 during the Saturday morning qualifying session.

The Castrol rider added: "It's OK going fast but the main reason for the test was to find a good race set-up and wešve pretty much done that so you have to say todayšs been a success."

Edwards, winner of the last seven races, leads the championship by one point from defending champion Troy Bayliss as the pair head for a final round showdown.