Bradley gets back in the swing with first test
Posted on Feb 09, 2012 by George Penny
The long wait is over for Bradley Smith, who starts his 2012 Moto2 season with the first official practice session of the season this week.
The Oxford rider takes part in a three-day session with his Tech3 team at Valencia, looking to build on three podium finishes in the last campaign.
The first Grand Prix of this season takes place in Qatar in just eight weeks.
Smith has been training in the Californian sunshine and has returned well-prepared for a busy testing schedule.
After the three days in Valencia, the 21-year-old travels south to Jerez for another three-day test which starts on February 16.
“I have not ridden a road bike since the Jerez test last November and so I will probably be a bit rusty and will need the first day to get it out of the system,” Smith said.
“It’s not a race situation and I must remember I have to be a test rider for the next three days.
“I used to get worked up about testing, but I’m pretty relaxed and know we have an enormous amount of work to do.
“We have two months before that first Grand Prix in Qatar and we will work the whole time to have the bike ready for that first practice session at the Losail circuit.”
Smith says that he is already feeling stronger because of the training he has done, although admitted the return to England from America was something of a shock to the system.
“I’ve certainly felt the cold since coming home from California,” he said.
“The cycling and moto-crossing was great, but I also worked very hard in the gym with some real top guys.
“I’ve started a new training programme which hopefully will make me a better all-round athlete – it’s gone really well so far.
“The season starts on Wednesday for me – and I can’t wait.”
