Bradley Smith signs new Tech 3 Yamaha deal

Bradley Smith will stay at the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad in 2015.

The British rider has penned a new one-year deal with Herve Poncharal’s French-based squad to remain as teammate to current Moto2 world champion Pol Espargaro.

Smith is currently ninth in the world championship standings and scored only his second top six finish of a difficult second season on a YZR-M1 during last weekend’s Indianapolis race.

Tech 3 boss Poncharal was known to have sounded out the availability of Jack Miller, Alex Rins and Jonas Folger about a 2015 deal, but after lengthy discussions with Yamaha and Monster, the final decision was to give Smith a third season on a YZR-M1.

Smith, who has been with Tech 3 since 2011 in Moto2, said: “It’s difficult to explain exactly how I feel right now but I am just overly thankful to Yamaha and Herve as well as the whole Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team for believing in me and enabling me to continue riding here for another year. I really do love working with this team and it’s crazy to think that this well be our fifth year together although it still feels like the second!

“There’s been a lot of emotion in resigning so I’m really happy with the end result and that everything is finally sorted. Also, it’s positive mentally to have next year clear whilst going into the second half of this season.

“For me personally, it’s now time to start achieving and performing at my full potential, which I don’t believe we have seen yet. I know that with this team they can support me to get where I am capable of being and beyond plus furthermore, get the results that I need not only for myself, but for the sponsors and everyone involved in this elite operation.

“In addition, riding with Pol is great fun as it creates a strong atmosphere in the team and together we are very competitive which aids us in pushing as well as motivating each other in every session.

“For Pol and I to finish fifth and sixth is back where Monster Yamaha Tech3 deserves to be and everyone can expect more of the same in the next 18 months. I am very happy and look forward to the rest of the season as well being very excited for 2015.”

Poncharal said he was delighted to offer Smith a fifth season at Tech 3, meaning he is the longest serving rider in the French team behind former 250GP world champion Olivier Jacque.

Poncharal said: “I am very pleased to announce that Bradley Smith will remain with the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team for one more year. We know each other well plus he is part of the family so this will be the fifth year of us working together and he will be the second longest serving Tech3 rider behind Olivier Jacque.

“This year has not been easy for him so far due to the high expectations after the winter test and the first race in Qatar. But he never gave up, so together with Yamaha and Tech3 we believe he is the best choice of rider for 2015. I believe that him and Pol are getting on really well together and will push each other the strong results.

“I am very happy to welcome Bradley back for one more year and I hope this agreement will not only help him to finish the second half of the year in a more relaxed state of mind, but also make things exciting for the MotoGP fans watching him.”