Spain-based Brit Kyle Smith will be Pata Honda’s sole entry in this year’s World Supersport Championship and is set for his debut at the Phillip Island pre-season tests next month.

The Yorkshireman, who makes his home in Calp, is a former Moto2 rider and has been at the sharp end of Spain’s Formula Xtreme series. Smith moved to Spain with his family as a kid and has been there ever since.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me – I’ve got the bike, I’ve got the team behind me, I’ve got support from Honda, so I think this is going to be a year for me to prove who I am,” said Smith.

“I like CBR machines and although there is a bunch of new tracks for me to learn this year, I’ve not had too many difficulties learning new circuits in the past. It starts at Phillip Island which everyone seems to like and I’ve watched loads of videos of races there, so I can’t wait.

“Set-up is the big thing, of course, but, with the experience of the Pata Honda team behind me, I couldn’t be in a better position. I always put pressure on myself and I always race to win. That’s what I aim to be doing this season.”