Smrz prepares for home round
WorldSBK.com caught up with him to see how he feels about racing in front of his home crowd again and how his season has gone in general. "Of course I had hoped to have better results, especially as at the beginning of the year we were doing well, even if we suffered some bad luck like in Assen. Always something seemed to happen but in the most recent races we were struggling a little. Aragon is also not my favourite track. But on the bike this year I am feeling really good about the set-up as the team is doing a really great job. For this I am really happy. But, as everybody can see, we are losing a little more again compared to last year. It is difficult to stay at the front."
So would this be because of the changes in regulations this year, with six kg more on the twin cylinder 1200cc machines, or just for the improved performance of almost all the rival four-cylinder machines?
"I think is it is a little about the regulations but also for the progress that the other bikes have made. For sure our bikes are top, same as Althea, and the bikes are prepared in the best way possible. But at places like Assen, where there are not really big straights and many corners, there you can have some advantage. Our bike, everybody knows, is really good on braking and entering corners with stability. But for high speed tracks it is difficult."
Smrz has gained a reputation in his SBK career as one of the fastest riders out there, with four podiums and a near win at Donington in 2011 to his credit. He is also, however, seen by many as a better qualifier than a racer. Smrz - who has been a privateer for all of his SBK career, not a works rider - gave us his take on why his 17 career front row qualifying positions outscore his podium finishes so strongly.
"Everybody says I am a good qualifier but not good in the races. Everybody can see in qualifying it is easier because we are just doing it alone and the track is free in front of you. In races it is more difficult. If you lose on the straight it is really difficult to pass another rider. It is not easy."
For Smrz, the forthcoming venue is far from neutral given his strong home support, but it is maybe not the best one for his Ducati vee-twin machine. "I am always happy to race at home because many fans are coming and the circuit is one of my favourites for the character of the track. There is a lot of pressure from the public and everyone and it is not the best track for us for the performance of the bike. We will try to do the best and I hope I will be OK after my injury in Aragon."
His accident at Aragon still has lingering effects for ‘Kuba', as his friends and fans know him. "In the end nothing was not broken but I have big bruises on my left ankle and right wrist. These are the most important parts of your body for riding, but they are starting to get better. For the riding it will be difficult at Brno because I do not have full movement and some pain, but I will be OK. Maybe not 100% but I will be OK for the pain in the race - we are used to it!"
