Rumour currently firing round the British Superbike paddock places Jakub Smrz in the Splitlath Redmond team at the Assen round.

The Czech Republic rider parted company with his Liberty Ducati World Superbike team yesterday when he found Lorenzo Lanzi sitting in his chair at the Nurburgring round just before first free practice.

It is believed Smrz, like former team-mate Sylvain Guintoli, hasn't been paid for his trouble so far this year.

A Splitlath Redmond spokescat refused to comment on the rumour, which means it must be true.