Bradley Smith completed a challenging race for the Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team in Assen by crossing the line in 8th after enduring the unpredictable Dutch weather for round 8 of the 204 MotoGP World Championship.

The beginning of the Iveco Daily TT Assen was delayed due to a sudden downpour of rain as the bikes lined the grid in front of 90,000 excited Dutch fans in what turned out to be the first wet race of the 2014 MotoGP season. Bradley Smith began his 26 lap sprit around the legendary 4252 metre circuit from the last grid slot of the second row before holding 8th place during the opening lap as he intrepidly powered through the rain and over the damp track surface. The historical Assen circuit proceeded to dry rapidly forcing the young British rider to enter the pits to change bikes on lap seven. He then re-joined the race and set into an incredibly competitive rhythm aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 and in the final stages of the race he was the fastest MotoGP rider on track, also producing the 3rd fastest race time on his final lap as he just missed out on P7 by a tenth of a second.

His Monster Yamaha Tech3 teammate Pol Espargaro suffered ill luck as he retired during round 8 of the 2014 MotoGP world championship at Assen on lap 18. The reigning Moto2 World champion began the day in positive fashion by seizing 3rd in this morning's warm up before starting the Iveco Daily Dutch TT from 11th on the grid. After choosing to make a last minute swap to his tyre choice, the rookie had to start from the rear of the field in 23rd but expertly elevated himself up to 14th position by the end of the first lap before changing bikes on lap seven due to the drying track. The Spanish star rejoined the race and set his sights on regaining some positions but fell on lap 15. He heroically remounted and attempted to carry on after entering the pits again to swap bikes, before retiring on lap 18 from the Grand Prix. His non finish marks a disappointing end to a weekend which was full of high promise with the MotoGP rookie continuing to learn at every race in an impressive manner during his first season in the premier class.

Bradley Smith - Race : 8th Championship : 10 th Points : 48

"Overall I am pleased with my performance at the end of the race even if the position is not what I'm aiming for. I was very comfortable with the bike once the track had dried and my race pace would have seen me within top 5 if not on the podium. Unfortunately at the same time today was quite a frustrating situation. The bike didn't work too well in the rain and I lost so much time at the beginning because of these wet conditions. I decided to follow Jorge's judgement on the pit stop and remained out for one more lap with him which was definitely the wrong decision as I lost approximately 10 seconds during that lap and when looking at the time sheets now, I would have been able to fight for 4th position with Aleix had I not lost that time. However when I rejoined the race the bike was awesome in the dry. The team did a great job but it's still just a bit irritating to end up in this position after such a solid end to the race in terms of pace. So unfortunately the result doesn't justify our efforts but we've worked really well this weekend and I go hard from the beginning to the end and look forward to giving it my all next round in Germany"

Pol Espargaro - Race : DNF - Championship : 7 th Points : 58

"It has been such an unlucky and disappointing end to this weekend! We started in a brilliant way during the practice sessions where I felt strong and competitive on the bike. My only worry was the weather and the storyboard planned the worst scenario for me. The rain arrived when we were going to the starting grid and from that moment on I got really nervous. I think , we also made a few of unfortunate decisions as it was actually a gamble which tyres to choose at the beginning of the race. Also the fact that my first ever wet laps had to be the opening ones of today's race did not really help my confidence. However, I really didn't feel comfortable enough to push and when we changed to dry tyres I was already far behind trying to close the gap to the riders in front of me, but I made a mistake and crashed. Afterwards, I returned to the pit box and tried to finish the race with my second bike, which was on rain tyres, but with the track already dry there was nothing I could do. Now I have to look forward to the next race in Germany in two weeks of time where we hopefully will be able to show our true potential."

Hervé Poncharal - Team manager :

"What a bizarre race it was today, with uncertainty from the word go with regards to tyre choices. Whilst Bradley decided straight away to start the race on wet tyres, Pol took the gamble along with Valentino to commence the race with a dry setup. But the returning rain and the lack of time until the start, saw them change their minds and Pol had to start from the back of the grid. He was still able to finish the first lap in 14th position which was close to his grid spot. Of course, the task today has not been an easy one for him facing the wet conditions for the first time in MotoGP. In addition, It has probably been his high expectations which made him push a bit too hard after swapping back to the dry bike to cause an unfortunate mistake which prevented him from finishing the race. A real pity after his strong performance over the whole weekend. Bradley on the other hand, did a brilliant job especially during the last part of the race where he was clearly the fastest rider on track. Probably his strategy was not the most fortunate one today which hindered him from collecting an even better, but clearly deserved, result here in Assen. However we leave the Netherlands knowing where we must improve and anticipate the next round in Germany with keen excitement so both of our boys can show what they can achieve."


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