Former World Superbike star Jakub Smrz may be riding a Padgett's Honda when the British Superbike Championship kicks off at Easter.

The 29 year old Czech Republic rider flew into the UK on Wednesday for a shakedown at Mallory and is due to be testing at Donington Park tomorrow (Thursday).

Team Padgett boss Clive Padgett told bikesportnews.com: "This is only a test and it will depend on how he performs and whether we think we can be competitive throughout the season. He is a terrific rider, we want to compete in this championship and the series can do with people like him.

"So far we have not been able to attract a major sponsor so if we do decide to work together it will be on the basis that we can run at the front of the field and be a worthwhile investment for some company."

Smrz has had a chequered World Superbike career which included five podiums but last season he left the Effenbert Liberty Ducati team under mysterious circumstances two-thirds of the way through. Recently it was announced that he would be riding for the Spitlath Redmond Aprillia team in BSB but that ended when the team withdrew.