Bradley Smith: 2016 MotoGP testing frustrating and a challenge
Bradley Smith admits his MotoGP pre-season has been "a challenge" and "frustrating" at times
The British rider has had a quiet winter, finishing four of the nine days of testing inside the top 10, but was the first to complete a race simulation, at Sepang in February.
While Smith is lining up with the Tech3 Yamaha squad for a fourth-straight year, the change to a control ECU and Michelin's return as tyre supplier has made the pre-season "quite different compared to other years".
"It's been an interesting process where we've had to get used to the new tyres, as well as to judge their evolution because we've had some different front and rear tyre specs to evaluate," he added.
"I must say that learning to adapt the bike to these different compounds has been a challenge.
"Some parts of the pre-season have also been frustrating for me because of the time the weather took from us in Australia, and also the [limited] tyre situation a bit here in Qatar and as a result, we weren't able to extract the maximum from the available testing time.
"Nevertheless, we are within touching distance of our target, which I think will be inside the top eight this year."
Smith was sixth in last year's championship as the top satellite rider and after finishing Qatar's last day of testing in 12th, 1.156 seconds off factory rider Jorge Lorenzo, remains "confident that we can do a good job" in 2016.
"I still believe that we have a bike that's only at 90 per cent so there's room to improve and we are always getting closer," he said.
"[Friday's] test was positive as I improved my time quite a lot and we had consistent pace.
"Also, I was able to go out and ride quickly immediately which is something that I was struggling with on these tyres but I figured that one out.
"I'm excited to complete the testing and finally get into racing mode as the competition brings out a bit of extra pressure which some people like and some don't.
"I like to be put under pressure and I feel I perform better in that way, so roll on the start of the season and FP1 in a few weeks' time."
Previous article
Vinales: Suzuki's new MotoGP gearshift a 'big improvement'
Next article
Aprilia encouraged by 2016 MotoGP bike's debut tests
Marc Marquez is back
MotoGP Starting Grid: Portugal Grand Prix
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
Marc Márquez's first ride after his injury
Marc Marquez continues his recovery
How Ducati’s Aragon MotoGP win harks to its past and its future
Duelling against Marc Marquez at the Aragon Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia came out on top to secure a long overdue MotoGP victory. As Marquez likened Bagnaia to a Ducati title contender of old, it appears the Italian rider could finally start to fight for wins on a more regular basis
Why Dovizioso is more of a temporary fix than a Yamaha gamble
OPINION: The return of Andrea Dovizioso to the grid at Misano will be an interesting subplot to the remainder of the 2021 MotoGP season. But the circumstances that have led to the former Ducati rider ending his sabbatical point to his signing being one more of convenience than a long-term commitment
Why the British GP was a triumph for MotoGP
OPINION: The 2021 British Grand Prix was a historic day for MotoGP. At the centre of it was Aleix Espargaro on the Aprilia after securing its first podium in the modern MotoGP era. It was something of a full-circle moment that highlighted just how far MotoGP has come in the last decade
Why Silverstone should be regarded as MotoGP's rightful UK home
OPINION: Many of the UK’s MotoGP fans would prefer Donington Park to host the British GP beyond the expiry of Silverstone's current deal. But the circuit's fast, flowing circuit provides the best racing and should be regarded as its best bet for the foreseeable future
How MotoGP's record smasher is facing his toughest challenge
The 2020 MotoGP season was an utterly enthralling affair, but few would argue with you if thought it the world championship was a poorer place without its biggest star Marc Marquez. In an exclusive interview, he explains the challenges he's faced in his comeback from injury and what he makes of the current MotoGP landscape
The other Austria 'shock' with major repercussions in MotoGP
The headlines after MotoGP's Austrian GP were naturally dominated by Brad Binder's heroics on slicks in the rain. But although seventh was, on the face of it, a fairly average result in the context of his season, that Fabio Quartararo was in contention for victory before the rain at Yamaha's worst venue should sound alarm bells for his rivals
Why Aprilia is a good bet for Vinales in MotoGP - but won't fix his big problem
The prelude to Maverick Vinales' move to Aprilia has been his tortured exit from Yamaha. But the Spanish rider must put allegations of sabotage, suspensions and unwanted personnel changes aside once he embarks upon his new journey, while Aprilia must find a way to get Vinales firing on all cylinders once again
The rider dilemma facing Petronas SRT for MotoGP 2022
The final pieces of the 2022 rider market have yet to be finalised as Petronas SRT faces several obstacles in replacing the retiring Valentino Rossi and Yamaha factory-bound Franco Morbidelli. SRT’s preferred option has been locked into a KTM deal he doesn’t want, while it’s other target is managed by Rossi himself and wanted at his VR46 team
