BRADLEY Smith is relishing the chance to ride competitively again when he takes to the grid in Barcelona this weekend.

The MotoGP rider will line up in Catalunya for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, but is fully aware he will be in for a testing few days.

Smith, who will compete in five races as a wildcard over the course of the season, will line up alongside first-choice Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Iannone.

But with the Barcelona circuit presenting a number of challenges, the Oxfordshire man, pictured, will have to be on form.

“As far as I am concerned, it will be important to begin working straight away on grip,” he said.

“Barcelona is perhaps the worst circuit from that point of view, and it is a great test bench for improving the performance.

“It will be a long weekend, including the post-race tests, but I am happy to be back in the saddle with such a demanding schedule.”