Smith thrilled with Yamaha upgrades in Valencia

Posted on Nov 12, 2013 by Monster Yamaha Tech 3

After taking a thoroughly deserved rest day at the end of an impressive but long debut MotoGP season yesterday, Bradley Smith made a brilliant return to action for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team on day two of the traditional Valencia MotoGP test in Spain earlier today.

With a hectic testing schedule in front of him, Smith went quickly down to work when the track opened in perfect weather conditions at 10am this morning.

The young British rider, who finished 10th in an encouraging rookie MotoGP campaign, got his first chance to evaluate a factory-spec chassis, seat unit and fuel tank package raced by Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi last season. 

The 22-year-old was immediately fast on the updated YZR-M1 machine and he made excellent progress in warm and sunny conditions to set a best time of 1.31.397. That secured Smith the sixth fastest time and he was just ahead of nine-times World Champion Rossi.

Bradley Smith 6th 1.31.397 – 78 laps:
“It was definitely worth taking a rest yesterday because I had to do a lot of laps today and now my brain is full of information after a very positive day. It was important for me to ride a lot to really assess the new parts in such ideal conditions. Immediately the updates gave a great feeling. I did a few laps on the bike I raced on Sunday to start with but on my first run on the new bike I was instantly faster and felt more comfortable in the areas where I have been struggling all season. I got a lot of feedback from the bike and I was clearly faster on the harder tyre, which was not easy for me during the race weekend.  My feelings with the rear improved and the bike stops better on a full fuel tank, so I am really satisfied. I am closer to the top position too, which is another big plus for me. We will try some different settings tomorrow but already this new package makes me very excited and optimistic for 2014.”