WSBK: Smrz to Test Aprilia at Valencia -- CONFIRMED

According to the well-informed racing site, Speedweek.eu, Czech Jakub Smrz will have the opportunity to test the Aprilia RSV4 at the upcoming combined WSBK/WSS/Moto2 test at Valencia this Wednesday and Thursday. According to Aprilia Technical Director Gigi Dall'Igna, no agreement has been signed to date between Guandalini Racing and Aprilia but a bike is available and ready for Smrz to ride at the test. It has been widely supposed that Smrz would be campaigning the Aprilia in the World Superbike series in 2010, but after an initial spate of rumors, including a confirmation by Smrz, nothing much has been heard about the alleged merger between Guandalini and Team Sterilgarda Ducati or a reported move to the Aprilia machines. Guandalini was supposedly miffed at Ducati for providing equipment to the Althea team for the upcoming season and Aprilia has reportedly been looking to set up a second team, so it would look at first blush that the proposed switch would be a marriage made perhaps not in heaven, but at least of convenience.

UPDATE

The official World Superbike site has confirmed that  Jakub Smrz will test a factory prepared Aprilia RSV4  at Valencia  in the hopes that the Guandalini  team will committ to the Noale marque in 2010. Aprilia Racing boss Luigi Dall'Igna confirmed that while there is not currently a deal in place with Guandalini, a completely new RSV4 race bike has been built for Smrz' use.  Dall'Igna also commented on the rumored sponsorship of the Factory Aprilia team by Alitalia, saying "We really, really don't know anything about that and we will see in the future."