The architect of Yamaha's victory at the Suzuka 8 Hours last week with Pol Espargaro and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Bradley Smith did not return this year to take part in the double for the Iwata firm.
On the other hand, he will be on the YART motorcycle this weekend in Germany, for try to help the Austrian structure bring back the world title to Yamaha at the end of this last race of the season.
He will be helped in this by Broc Parkes and Marvin Fritz, all together in search of the points which separate the
YART Yamaha Official EWC Team of the leaders.
Indeed, before these 8 hours of Oschersleben, the YART is tied on points with the SRC Kawasaki, 8 points behind the team's Suzuki April Moto Motors Events.
With five race weekends in a row, this is a very busy time for you. How do you prepare for it?
“Normally it can actually seem like a very busy schedule, with five races in a row, but I like to think it helps me keep up the pace. Driving is something we don't do enough in MotoGP; there are a lot of periods of inactivity, especially in recent months. We have had two or three weeks between races, and all things considered we will see what my performance will be in Misano, but I am convinced that it will have a positive effect. In terms of preparation, the most you can do is recover, sit as much as possible and also sleep and eat enough, and generally take care of the little details.
You previously rode the factory YZF-R1 at Suzuka last year, the YZF-R1M at Silverstone during the Yamaha Racing Experience, and you also tested the YART at the Pannoniaring last week. Can you compare the motorcycles?
“I have now ridden three different bikes, the Suzuka YZF-R1, the YZF-R1M at Silverstone and the YART bike at the Pannoniaring, and to be honest it feels a lot like the Suzuka bike from last year. I know the Yamaha factory has worked very closely with YART this year, after their very good results, so the bikes are very close. The most remarkable quality is the agility of the motorcycle. It doesn't feel like a normal 1000cc, it feels much easier to ride, especially when changing direction and on a track like the Pannoniaring. If you compare an R3 to a YZR-M1, the chassis specifications are very similar, but if we could have the same power as the YZR-M1 on the YZF -R1, it would be unbeatable!
The level of the field in Endurance is completely different compared to that of MotoGP. Since you now know what to expect, how do you plan to deal with traffic? Do you have a strategy in mind?
“In terms of traffic, I’m used to that. At Suzuka we had 80 riders on track and I think there are 35 bikes registered at Oschersleben. I know the track is smaller, fingers crossed that the traffic is a little less. It's part of the race and it's part of the data to stay alert and on eggshells all the time, which is what makes endurance races so difficult: not only do you have to ride at your maximum, but you also navigate through traffic and must not make any mistakes. I think this is why endurance running is mentally demanding.
Yamaha has won two races out of three so far this season (Estoril and Suzuka, SRC Kawasaki winning at Le Mans). You and Broc are friends and the YART team has shown a fast pace throughout the year. What are your expectations for this Saturday’s race?
“My predictions for this weekend are that it’s not going to be easy. All entrants are used to racing on their machines in the endurance environment. Oschersleben is a smaller track than I'm used to and, as I understand it, it's going to be a close race. Lap times of 1'26 mean the pace is going to be close for everyone, so the last tenths are going to be important. Oschersleben is also unknown to me, while it is familiar to the other drivers, so that too will be difficult. I'm studying the track carefully and doing a lot of laps this Wednesday during free practice to try to learn as much as possible.
Did you train with Brock in Andorra? Have you had to adjust your training program to satisfy the need for extra resistance needed for endurance races?
“I obviously know Broc very well because he is practically my neighbor in Andorra. We haven't had the chance to see each other much this year due to my busy schedule, but I know he's training hard to be ready for that final race, to make sure we have good possibilities to fight for the championship. I decided to enter this race a little too late to do anything training-wise. When we agreed with Mandy (Kainz), we were only two and a half weeks from the race, so there wasn't a lot I could do. I believe the general fitness for MotoGP is high anyway, to be able to race for 42 minutes like we do. Relays in endurance races last about an hour, so I think my stamina should be fine. The important thing will be the recovery, because we have to do it three or four times during the day rather than just once. It’s going to be interesting and difficult, but I’m excited for the challenge and very grateful to Monster Yamaha Tech3 and Yamaha, plus Mandy, Broc and Marvin for believing in me and giving me a chance to help them in this final race.”
