Bradley Smith looking for rear grip boost

Bradley Smith is confident he can be a consistent podium finisher in the ultra-competitive Moto2 class if his Tech 3 Racing Team can create more rear grip.

Smith has started and finished the last two races in Indianapolis and Misano in the same position and while he has finished tantalisingly close to the podium on both occasions, he has not quite been able to fight his way into the top three.

He was fourth in Indy and sixth behind compatriot Scott Redding in Misano earlier this month and he told MCN: “In Misano, that was the best bike we had this year. But we need more rear grip to get the drive like the Suter and the Kalex chassis do. That’s all we need. When they go and first touch the throttle they seem to be able to jump away. I can gain it back when the track is quite fast and flowing but they just jump away again.”

Smith, who is firmly in the hunt for a top three in the final championship standings in 2011, finished only 3.4s behind race winner Marc Marquez in Misano and he added: “To be so close to the lead, I can’t be disappointed with that. It would have been nice to mix it up with them and put it in a position where at least I could pass someone. But it didn’t happen and we know where we can make the bike better.”

Smith recently confirmed he will not accept on offer to partner Cal Crutchlow in the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP squad next season. His performances in 2011 though have made him hot property and MCN understands he’s being chased by Tech 3, Aspar and Marc VDS Racing for a Moto2 ride next season.