Mark Aitchison will ride for Aprilia in the British Superbike Championship for 2013.

Australian Mark Aitchison will remain with Splitlath Redmond Aprilia for the 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship alongside Jakub Smrz.

The team are eager to build on their 2012 programme as they continue the development of the Aprilia RSV4s with Aitchison and Smrz, who both made their championship debut this year.

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 WSBK personnel attending selected BSB rounds and tests to help with the development.

“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,” Aitchison said. “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 teammates 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.”