Tech 3 Racing Team rider Bradley Smith stormed into the top 10 for the eighth time this season after the British rider played a starring role in a thrilling battle in today's 20-lap Moto2 race at the Brno circuit.
Under grey and gloomy skies, Smith immediately surged into contention for the top 10 from 15th on the grid.
In a typically pulsating Moto2 battle, Smith became locked in a group of eight riders battling for fifth position and the fight continued right until the chequered flag in front of a huge crowd in the Czech Republic of almost 140,000 fans.
The 21-year-old had fought his way superbly into ninth place starting the final lap and he then conjured up another masterful overtake to seize eighth from Mika Kallio. Smith finished just over 0.5s away from Simone Corsi in fifth and just 2.5s split the eight-rider group at the end.
Xavier Simeon looked well set to score World Championship points for the fifth time this season when he capitalised on a stunning start from 21st on the grid to move into the top 15 on lap nine.
The Belgian rider then continued his charge through the field and he was challenging for 13th place when he crashed out of contention on the 12th lap. He was unhurt in the crash.
Bradley Smith
“Sitting on the start line today I was a little bit worried to be hone st. I was 15th on the grid and not 100% sure the direction we had taken with the set-up was the right way. It wasn't too bad and throughout the whole race I was involved in a really exciting battle. There was lots of overtaking but I lost a bit of time when I tried to pass Zarco and on the next lap I had a problem with the clutch and that cost me some more tenths. I think if I could have got to the group battling for fifth a little bit earlier I might have had a chance to gain some more places. But I'm still pretty satisfied with the outcome of the race and it was important to bounce back quickly from the bad weekend we had in Indianapolis. Being back in the top eight is a strong result and now we can look forward to Misano to try and build up some momentum for the final part of the Championship.
Xavier Simeon
“It's a big pity because I made a really good firs t lap and I was battling for some points when I crashed out at the middle of the race. At that point I was gaining some places and feeling really confident with the Mistral 610 machine. I had a good rhythm but while passing Aegerter I had lot of chattering and unfortunately lost the front. I'm very sorry for the Tech 3 Racing Team because this weekend they did a really good job to prepare the bike and we could have fought for the top 10. That's two races in a row now without points and that doesn't reflect our true potential in both.”
Herve Poncharal – Team Manager
“After the disappointment of Indianapolis I am pleased to see the whole Tech 3 Racing Team has bounced back strongly with a good race today. Both Bradley and Xavier showed a lot of determination and it was great to see Bradley involved in such an exciting battle. I think if he had been a bit higher up the gri d he might have been able to battle with the leading four because his lap times were as fast and consistent as those at the front. Eighth position is still a positive result and he was very close to the top five, so it seems we have quickly got our season back on track. Bradley again showed the high potential of the Mistral 610 machine and I think it is realistic to think he can be on the podium before the end of the season. Xavier was doing a fantastic job and it was unfortunate he crashed because he showed he has the potential to be a regular inside the top 15. He made a small mistake passing Aegerter but that can happen when you are pushing and fighting hard for the top 10. It's a pity because he could have scored some important points and that would have been good for his confidence going into the last six races.”
Tech 3 Racing Press Release
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