Bradley Smith confirms Yamaha MotoGP deal

Bradley Smith has confirmed he will move to the MotoGP world championship in 2013 having signed a long-term deal with the Tech 3 squad, as was first reported by MCN yesterday.

Smith inked a three-year deal with the French outfit during last weekend’s Motorland Aragon race and he will stay with Tech 3 in Moto2 next year.

He will then switch to Herve Poncharal’s Monster Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP squad for 2013 and 2014.

Smith turned down the chance to partner compatriot Cal Crutchlow in MotoGP next season, and he admitted the decision was the toughest of his life.

The 20-year-old said: “I am thrilled to have signed a three-year deal with the Tech 3 Racing Team and I am looking forward to continuing the excellent relationship we’ve developed in 2011.

“I have a fantastic relationship with Herve, my crew chief Tom Jojic and all my crew, who all have an amazing passion for racing. It is that dedication and desire to succeed that convinced me to join Tech 3 in 2011, so to be staying until the end of 2014 is the perfect scenario for me.

“There was never any doubt in my mind that Tech 3 would be the best team to develop my career. It has been flattering to have attracted interest from so many top teams in Moto2, but the opportunity to move to MotoGP in 2013 was simply too good for me to turn down. To think I’ll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe. 

“I’ve worked so hard for many years to earn the chance to be given an opportunity like this, and now it has come I intend to grab it with both hands. Tech 3 gave me the chance to move to MotoGP in 2012 and it was an honour to be even considered at this stage of my career.

“The decision to stay in Moto2 was one of the hardest of my life but I believe that together, we can be fighting at the front from the start of next season and pushing to challenge for the Championship.”