Smith and Redding preparing for Barcelona test
Added on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Smith and Redding preparing for Barcelona test
British 125cc and Moto2 hopefuls Bradley Smith and Scott Redding will be putting their new machines through their paces in Barcelona this week.
Redding, who became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner when he took victory in the 2008 British 125cc Grand Prix aged just 15 years and 170 days, has made the move up to Moto2 after having a difficult season with the Blusens Aprilia team in 125s last season.
But Redding is preparing for a new lease of life with the Marc VDS Racing team, run by former Kawasaki boss Michael Bartholemy, and believes that the move to 600s will suit his style.
“I think I will really suit the Moto2 machine because I was getting too tall for the 125cc,” he claimed. “I can’t wait to get started with the new team and on the new bike.
“I’ve worked really hard on my fitness over the winter, and I just want to get going after all the uncertainty about who I would be riding for at the end of last season. I’m feeling very positive about 2010 after such a tough season last year.”
Smith meanwhile will be going into the 125 series as one of the early season favourites to claim the rider’s championship – Britain’s first Grand Prix championship since 1977.
After training in California, the 19-year-old is confident of adding to his nine podiums last season which saw him finish second in the championship.
“Basically, Barcelona will be a chance to get riding again,” he claimed. “It’s going to be tough to get back in the swing of riding, so I will take it step-by-step. I’m sure we will have some parts to test, and it will be nice to start up the Aprilia and get back on-track after three months.”
