Tech3 duo ready to kick start second half of season at the Brickyard
Posted on Aug 06, 2014 by Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro will recommence their 2014 MotoGP World Championship campaigns at the Indianapolis Grand Prix this weekend after the mid point break for the 10th race of the season.
The second round to be held in America will be undertaken at one of the most significant motorsport tracks on the planet, the Indianapolis circuit in Indiana, which has hosted the MotoGP round since 2008. With ten left corners and six right, the elite circuit also consists of using the renowned Indianapolis 872 metre straight which is part of the famous oval race track. Modifications have been made ahead of the MotoGP carnival’s visit for the 27 lap sprint, which includes new asphalt on the infield section of the track as well as increasing the angles of turns 2-4, 7-9 and 15-16 to improve the safety and enhance overtaking opportunities for the racing spectacle on Sunday.
Britain’s Bradley Smith will confidently aim to turn a somewhat tricky opening half of the season around and battle for a competitive and confidence boosting result this weekend.
Bradley Smith:
"After an enjoyable summer break where I was able to fully recharge my batteries, I am ready for action this weekend at Indy and am determined to get a really strong result for myself as well as the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team to get us back on target in the championship. It’s easy to see that it has been tricky for me so far this year. Yet, my finger injury has cleared plus I am highly motivated to try my hardest to clinch a position inside the top 5 this weekend, which is where I know I need to be every race. It will be interesting to see how the modifications of the circuit affect the pace and the overtaking opportunities but for sure the changes will be positive. Now, it’s up to me. I just can’t wait to get back on the Yamaha YZR-M1, bounce back and go hard for the second half of the season."
Hervé Poncharal - Team Manager:
"Now that the summer break is over, it’s time to get back to the racing and show the GP paddock what we can do. I am sure that both Pol and Brad have refreshed themselves and are now ready to carry on doing their best. At the just beyond the half way point of the season we know where we are at and I still think that we have not yet shown our true potential. Pol had a good run in the opening 9 rounds, although he also had some ill luck,but with every turn of the wheel of his Yamaha YZR-M1 he is gaining experience. His progress has been very good, so now we hope he can carry on pushing and closing in on the factory bikes. As for Brad, who has been unlucky as well, it’s time for him to get back on the bike and go for it. The break will have done him good so we know he will have a strong second half of the season and get back into the top 5 which is where he is aiming for, plus needs to be. Therefore both riders have been down on luck at times and there is a margin to improve, but a strong second half of the year should be in front of us starting this weekend. It is great to come back here every year and Indy is a race that we all look forward to. It’s simply fantastic for the GP bikes to be running on the brickyard straight which is part of the world famous oval circuit, so this weekend we will be back and ready to go for glory once again."