Former World Superbike star Jakub Smrz was back in the MCE British Superbike paddock today when he took part in the official test at Donington.

It has not been an easy few months for the Czech rRepublic ider after he was left without a ride when the Splitlath Redmond team withdrew from the championship. Smrz was approached by the Padgett’s team, and since then things have moved incredibly fast.

“It was not my choice, last month I was free and I was without a team and it was good combination for me to come to BSB. Everything is quite new for me because the move to Padgett’s happened really fast but today we are setting up the bike and looking at a basic set up for me and it is getting better step by step,” said Smrz, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“It is a big difference coming from World Superbikes to British Superbikes, but it is a big advantage for riders as the bikes are quite similar, and I love the English tracks and I know many of them and I am enjoying it. The conditions here are not really good, but it is ok we just need to find the basics and get a feeling for the bike.”

But the lack of a main sponsor is worrying the rider, as without a big sponsor behind the Padgett’s BSB team Smrz is doubtful that he will be able to compete for the whole season.

“Now we are working hard to get a main sponsor to complete the season. It looks like we will be able to compete in Brands but there is still not a sponsor for the whole season.”

But for the time being Smrz is happy with the Honda, a bike he has never ridden before and hopes he will be able to compete in some of his favourite UK tracks in 2013.

“I have never been on a Honda before, and the bike feels good, but I am still not comfortable with everything. I need more laps to get used to it, but it will be good. I am very happy we can test and hopefully we can complete the season. I would like to fight on the top on the tracks I know like Donington, Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Assen.”