British MotoGP: Bradley Smith expects competitive weekend

Bradley Smith believes his Tech 3 Racing Moto2 machine will be perfectly suited to the fast nature of the Silverstone circuit as he bids for a podium challenge in this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation in the ultra-competitive Moto2 class and had it not been for his involvement in an early race incident with Thomas Luthi and Yuki Takahashi in Catalunya last weekend, he could have fought for his maiden rostrum.

Smith still set the fastest lap of the race at the Montmelo circuit and he’s already established himself as a consistent top ten campaigner in Moto2 after just five races of the 2011 world championship.

And Smith, who claimed a podium finish last season in the 125GP race, said his French-built Tech 3 Mistral 610 machine should be a strong and competitive package for his home race.

The Oxfordshire rider told MCN: “I think our bike actually favours the fast circuits at the moment. The stop and start tracks we seem to struggle on but as soon as you pick up some momentum with some force going through the tyres we’re fine. Our weight transfer is a bit slower than others but when you’ve got a fast corner you’re not looking for the same transfer or to get weight on the rear tyre to find grip.

“You’ve already got the stress through the tyre. I’m looking forward to it and if I can repeat last year’s result then I’ll be laughing. But I’ll try and be in with a sniff of the first group by mid-race and then see what we can do.”

Smith has done two track days at Silverstone on a 600 machine to help his preparations for this weekend and he said he was looking forward to the challenge of racing a Moto2 bike on the fastest track on the calendar.

He added: “The track is built ideally for a Moto2 bike. For a 125 it was a bit too fast and a bit too open, whereas for a Moto2 bike it is perfect. You’ve got the engine power you need and a chassis that loves the fast corners.”

For more of Smith’s thoughts on the Silverstone race, see an exclusive interview with him in today’s MCN (June) as part of our 24-page British Grand Prix preview.

For the latest ticket information and weekend details visit www.silverstone.co.uk