| Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro have jetted straight to Australia full of confidence for the second consecutive fly away race, fresh from their Motegi battle in Japan. Both riders are highly excited about the upcoming weekend at Phillip Island which is one of the most stunning tracks on the calendar with a magnificent ocean backdrop. It was built in 1956 and features seven left turns and five right as well as a straight of 900 metres which come together to create a high speed and fast flowing circuit that always promises exhilarating action on track for riders and fans alike.
Bradley Smith is relishing his return to Australia at the track where he produced his maiden podium finish last year as he fully intends to continue his firm and consistent run in the 2015 MotoGP season this week. The British star completed the Japanese Grand Prix in 7th as he battled at the stop and go Twin Ring Motegi circuit which was plagued with bad weather. This weekend Smith fully intends to make a step up at the 4.4 kilometre Phillip Island circuit and succeed in clinching the leading satellite honours. Meanwhile, Pol Espargaro is counting down the days until he can launch into action on a track that he holds in high regard as he looks to score a notable finish in the 16th round of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship. The 2013 Moto2 World Champion experienced a difficult Japanese Grand Prix where he fell heavily in the final moments of the race, yet he escaped injury. He will now look to bounce back strongly in Australia, at a circuit which holds a positive history for him and where he aims to conclude the 27 lap sprint inside the top six aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1. |
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Bradley Smith | ||
| Championship :6th | Points : 152 | ||
“I am really excited about heading to Australia as Phillip Island is definitely a track that I have great memories of after my podium finish there last year. However, I can’t promise that I’ll do the same again this weekend, but I’ll try my absolute best and I am looking forward to the challenge. To be honest I am feeling really confident at the moment because my Yamaha has been working very well at Motegi and my pace in the dry was strong. On the other hand, the team did a great job with the setting for the wet conditions and it’s fair to say that we have taken some big steps forward in that direction. This makes me feel more comfortable in case there could be more wet races in the remaining three GP’s in 2015. Regarding Phillip Island, I really enjoy riding there and I am sure a lot of other rides do too. It’s flowing nature certainly suits the style of the Yamaha which was proven by the result last year – an all Yamaha lock out on the podium. Still, we need to take note about the weather because there is always chance of rain with the track being right next to the ocean. Nevertheless, I am primed for the battle and I’ll do my best to get into the top six.”
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Pol Espargaro | ||
| Championship : 10th | Points : 88 | ||
 “It goes without saying that I am truly looking forward to go to Australia as Phillip Island is an incredible circuit and definitely my favourite track. Still my memories of last year are quite disappointing as I was running in a podium position and so close to scoring my first rostrum in the premier class until luck went against me and I fell not far from the end. Yet, I feel optimistic about making amends this season, which I need to do after the challenging time that we had in Japan. Fortunately I am ok after the crash and, of course, I am more determined than ever to get a strong result to get us back on track. The circuit suits the Yamaha so we need to take advantage of this and try to hit the ground running, and we must make the most of the practice sessions in order to get ready for Sunday. It really is a great place to be and furthermore, I hope to catch some waves as well before we head to the track!”
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Hervé Poncharal – Team manager : | ||
| “It’s time for one of the Grand Prix’s that everyone looks forward to as Phillip Island is truly breath taking to visit! The circuit has such a deep history and it has a really smooth, flowing layout that always provides the perfect platform for some great racing, plus it must be incredible to ride Lukey heights on a MotoGP bike. We are hoping that both of our guys can battle to be inside the top six in the race after what we saw last year. They did their best at Motegi even though the weather conditions were far from ideal. Brad continued his good form and got 7th, which means he still holds his record of finishing every GP in 2015 no lower than 8th. Moreover, we shouldn’t forget that he scored his debut podium in the premier class last year on this track, so we are confident that he can be fighting with some of the factory MotoGP bikes in Sunday’s race. As for Pol, he had a tough time and fell heavily at Motegi, but he was deemed ok after visiting the medical staff, much to our relief. He has a strong record at Phillip Island, so we are sure that he can be right up there with his teammate and fighting for a solid finish. Therefore, both riders are fired up and ready for action, like every GP, so lets see what happens in Australia, where hopefully it will stay dry!” | |||