Tech 3 Racing Team rider Bradley Smith battled hard to a determined top eight finish in a dramatic Moto2 World Championship encounter at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this afternoon.

Only four of the scheduled 26-laps had been completed when the red flags came out to halt proceedings after oil was dropped on the track approaching the final corner.

The race was restarted over a shortened 14-lap distance and British rider Smith was immediately locked in a typically clo se and exciting battle inside the top 10.

A sun drenched crowd were treated to an enthralling battle between eight riders for fourth place and 21-year-old Smith secured his ninth top 10 finish of the season with a brilliant late charge.

He started the penultimate lap in 10th but superbly steered his Mistral 610 machine by Thomas Luthi and Johann Zarco to move into eighth. Smith then put compatriot Scott Redding under intense pressure but was unable to find a way into seventh despite a determined last lap attack.

Smith took the chequered flag just 1.8s behind fourth position and he is confident that with more laps he could have fought his way comfortably inside the top six.

Xavier Simeon was enjoying a positive race and he was battling inside the points when he unfortunately crashed out at the halfway stage.

The Belgian rider escaped injury in the accident but he was disappointed having seen a great chance to score his first points since the Sachsenring round in Germany slip through his grasp.

Bradley Smith 7th – 85 points:

“It was a good race and I'm just a little bit disappointed that we only had 14 laps because normally I'm really strong and recover some positions during the last part of the race. Had the race been longer I am convinced I could have been in the top six because I felt a few guys would not be able to keep that pace. It was a tricky race and it felt like 14 qualifying laps but the encouraging thing is I was very clo se to fourth and I managed to beat Luthi and Zarco. We are still lacking in a few areas but we made a good step forward and I'm excited to go to Aragon because we have a direction we want to try with the Mistral 610.”

Xavier Simeon DNF – 17 points:

“I'm really disappointed because it's the fourth race in a row I did not finish and I just want to say sorry to the Tech 3 Racing Team because today I had a really good bike. The first race was not too bad. I did a good start and could have been able to fight for a top ten result. When the race was interrupted I lost a bit my rhythm but I was still able to fight inside the top 15 and I was confident I was going to get stronger as the race wore on. But I made a mistake. Unfortunately I lost the front going into Turn 8. I still don't really understand why because I wasn't a t lean angle when I crashed. It's a pity and I'm just looking forward to Aragon hoping to improve my performance there.”

Herve Poncharal – Team Manager:

“The weather played a big part this weekend but I think Bradley, Xavier and the Tech 3 Racing Team coped brilliantly in tough circumstances to give us a good opportunity to have both of them in the points. It is hard mentally when the race is stopped and restarted because you have to psyche yourself up again but Bradley and Xavier were doing a really good job. Bradley was involved in a really strong fight in the group that was battling for fourth position and as always he gave his maximum effort. He achieved another very strong result and I am happy with his performance. I'm also pleased with Xavier, although it would have been much better if he could have scored so me points. We know he has great potential and he showed that again this weekend, but the key point is finishing races and unfortunately he was unable to do that. He has the speed but he has to learn not to make mistakes at crucial times.”

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