Smrz returns to BSB with Moto Rapido

Former Wold Superbike rider Jakub Smrz will return to the MCE British Superbike paddock for 2015. Riding for the Moto Rapido team born out of the ashes of the Millsport team he rode for in 2014, he will once again be Ducati-mounted.

Speaking to MCN, Smrzx said he’s raring to go again for 2015 after a broken wrist at Cadwell left him out of action for nearly six months at the end of last season.

“I can’t wait to ride again! I rode Brands Hatch, but I had two months off before that. In the last six months, I’ve had three days on the bike – and those were wet and not the best conditions. It’s been a hard few months, and I can’t wait to get going again now!”

The team will also benefit from closer links to Ducati Corse, with the Italian factory supplying support to set up what team boss Steve Moore admitted is a tricky bike to get right.

“The Panigale is a phenomenal motorcycle, but it’s also a knife-edge. If you can’t get it just exactly right, then it has much more of an effect than some of the other bikes. Some of the bikes aren’t at all sensitive, and you can get them pretty close in any set-up. But with the Ducati you have to be just so – a little adjustment can make a big change. It’s frustrating, but it’s also rewarding!”

“We’re testing in Spain at the beginning of March, and there’s going to be a lot of new parts to bolt on there. We’ve got a lot to test, and we’ll see then if the things the factory team are feeding back work for us.”