Tech3 pair ready for twisting Sachsenring challenge
Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith confidently eye up the forthcoming GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland where they will aim to seize two top tier results aboard their Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes. The round nine battle marks the mid-point of the 2016 season and both riders intend to complete the race as close as possible to the factory bikes in order to conclude the first half of the year positively.
Pol Espargaro will seek to follow up his 4th place at Assen, which equalled his best performance in the premier class, with another impressive finish in Germany. The consistent 25-year-old is currently 6th in the World Championship standings and will look to get straight up to speed at the tight and meandering Saxony circuit.
Meanwhile, Bradley Smith optimistically has his sights set on fighting to a top placement ahead of the summer break after what has been a tricky 2016 campaign so far. The young British rider suffered ill fortunate at the soaking wet Dutch GP after falling whilst pursuing a notable result, however, he remains resolute and fully intends to undertake a strong performance in Germany.
Pol Espargaro
Championship: 6 Points: 72
“As usual, I am looking forward to racing this weekend and I am positive about the team and I doing a good job in Germany. The track is certainly unique and when I ride, it feels a little bit like karting on a MotoGP bike! It is really tight and twisty, plus as there is no long straight, we don’t get much of a rest so it’s very physically demanding. Having said that, we are upbeat because the nature of the Sachsenring suits the Yamaha so I think we can push for a strong showing again. However, I believe that we may see some unexpected results but I’ll try hard to be one of those who have a notable performance. We are ready and prepared so I am sure that we can tick off part one of the season in a positive fashion before I fly to Japan to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours race for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.”
Bradley Smith
Championship: 15 Points: 32
“The next stop for us is the German Grand Prix, which is definitely a special one, due to the location of the circuit. This racetrack stands alone because of its tight corners like the Omega and also because we do not really open the throttle fully until the waterfall, which I must say is awesome to ride. Last year I managed to get 6th, and honestly, I feel that we have a solid chance of obtaining a good result again with the capabilities of the YZR-M1. After Assen, I went to the legendary Spa – Francorchamps circuit with the Tech3 team and Guy Coulon to ride a two-stroke 500cc Yamaha. I really enjoyed the experience and I have to say thanks to the guys for making it happen. Yet, this weekend we are back our usual business with the goal being to score the top independent position.”
Hervé Poncharal – Team manager:
“Sachsenring is a thrilling race for the fans and one that we look forward to because of the great crowd. In addition, all the riders are extra motivated for this GP as want to sign off the first part of the year with a good result. Both of our guys are highly determined and ambitious for this event and we expect them to be fighting as close as possible to the factory MotoGP bikes. Pol has done a great job so far in 2016 and he equalled his best finish in the premier class at the memorable race in the Netherlands. The outcome there will fire him up for another successful battle in Saxony and we hope he can finish as the leading independent rider once more before he heads to Japan for the Suzuka 8 Hours race. As for Brad, he was unlucky at Assen, but he has made some really encouraging steps forward in the past few GP’s, and we know that he is more than capable of dicing with his teammate for the best satellite position on Sunday afternoon. We will do everything that we can to get the guys ready for their last adventure before the summer break and we are excited for the challenge.”