Roberto Rolfo will return to the MotoGP with Speed Master after the Italian squad confirmed that Rolfo will replace Mattia Pasini for the remainder of the current campaign.

Rolfo, who had been racing for the Technomag Moto2 team, has struggled for much of the year aboard the Suter and the move to the premier class strikes more of budget requirements rather than a desire for Speed Master to get more performance from their CRT machine.

Rolfo, who has yet to score a point in 2012, won last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix but given his recent struggles little will be expected of him when he makes his CRT bow in next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

In the 2005 season, riding for the D’Antin Ducati squad Rolfo had numerous points scoring finishes including a tenth place finish at the British Grand Prix.

The move will leave Pasini without a ride for the remainder of the season and while the Italian has not set the world alight in his debut MotoGP season he has had a solid campaign with numerous strong qualifying efforts.