Splitlath Redmond Aprilia In The Starting Blocks With Aitchison And Smrz

Splitlath Redmond Aprilia are ready to hit the ground running when the 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship gets underway next April after confirming that Australian Mark Aitchison and Czech Jakub Smrz will remain with the team for next season.

The team are eager to build on their 2012 programme as they continue the development of the Aprilia RSV-4s with Aitchison and Smrz, who both made their championship debut this year. Former World Superbike contender Smrz secured the team's best results including a maiden front row qualifying position at Assen and a twelfth place at Silverstone. Aitchison's early progress was hampered by a hand injury, but he is aiming high for his return to the team co-owned by former Olympic athlete Derek Redmond and John Dimbylow.

The team also announced an exciting new partnership with Aprilia UK as they will receive parts and technological support from Aprilia Racing in Italy, with WSB personnel attending selected BSB rounds and tests to help with the development.

Aitchison said: "This is the first time I have returned with a team and that is great news for me and shows that I am in a really settled place right now. I know the team and how they operate so we can have a productive winter and be ready to get started as soon as the season starts. We are all feeling really optimistic about next year and with the development we have planned we should be able to make baby steps in the beginning and then really build it up during the season. I am happy to be team-mates with Kuba again and between us we know we can work hard to put the Splitlath Redmond Aprilia where it should be and we need to be aiming for the top three. There is a great atmosphere in the team and we will keep having fun whilst getting the job done in 2013."

Smrz said: "I am happy to be back in BSB next season. It was great to be there for the final rounds this year and I enjoyed it a lot with the Splitlath Redmond Aprilia team. It wasn't easy to come in for the final rounds as the other riders had been on track all season and we were starting new. We spent time working to make the bike better at those last events, but now looking at next year I am pretty confident about the tracks I know and I will learn the others. My team is working hard on the bike already and we will be making a big step up next year. I am ready to do my best and I want to stay on top! I am sure we will be moving forward and I can't wait to ride again and be more competitive."


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