Tech 3 Racing Team rider Bradley Smith bravely brushed aside the pain from a left foot injury to claim a stunning top six position in Moto2 qualifying in gruelling heat and humidity at the Sepang International Circuit today.
The British rider cracked bones in two toes in a heavy fall in wet conditions yesterday but bounced back with a performance full of grit and determination today to secure a hard earned place on the second row of the grid.
Smith powere d his Mistral 610 machine to a fastest lap of 2.07.721, which was less than 0.2s away from Moto2 World Championship leader Marc Marquez, who secured the final place on the front row in third behind Pol Espargaro and Scott Redding.
The 21-year-old is anticipating a physically demanding race tomorrow, which will be made even more complicated by the searing heat and humidity in Malaysia. Smith has been undergoing round-the-clock treatment with Clinica Mobile medical staff and he is confident he will be fighting at the front in what is expected to be another exciting and close Moto2 battle.
It was a less productive qualifying session for teammate Xavier Simeon, who faces a difficult challenge to build on his promising 14th position in Japan last weekend from 24th position on the grid.
The Belgian rid er clocked a fastest lap of 2.09.154 in the early stages of this afternoon's session, but he was unable to improve his pace in a further 12 laps he completed.
Despite his lowly grid position for the 19-lap race, Simeon remains in a positive frame of mind and he is confident he will be able to launch a challenge for the top 15.
Bradley Smith 6th 2.07.721 – 16 laps:
“To be on the second row is a great result considering my physical condition because it was incredibly hard work. I just had to grit my teeth and brave the pain and it is great to be rewarded with a top six. I need to say a big thanks to the Clinica Mobile staff because without them I wouldn't be able to ride. They've done a fantastic job to help me but I know it will be a long and tough race. The heat and humi dity makes it even harder when you are not 100% fit at this track, but I will get plenty of rest tonight and ice the foot again. I'm a little bit battered and bruised after two big crashes in a week and my foot is not great. I've got a crack in the fourth toe at the joint and a crack in my big toe. But I will be giving it my best shot tomorrow and I'm still confident I can be battling at the front.”
Xavier Simeon 24th 2.09.154 – 16 laps:
“Today was not a very good result and it will be a tough race tomorrow. My race pace is not too bad but when I needed to push for the fast lap time at the end I wasn't as fast as I expected. It is going to be an intense battle tomorrow because I have to make a lot of passes to get into the points, and with the heat and humidity it is going to be a very demanding race. The Mistral 610 though is normally really strong over the race distance, so I am convinced I will be able to fight for some points. As always I will be giving 100% to get the best result I can for the Tech 3 Racing Team.”
Tech 3 Racing Moto2 Press Release
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