Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro will contest in the 15th round of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship this weekend as they aim to kick start their triple flyaway challenge with two strong results. With both riders having very fond memories of their last visit to Japan where they dominated the Suzuka 8 Hour race, together they confidently look towards battling for the top satellite honours at the demanding stop and go 4.8 kilometre Twin Ring Motegi Circuit.

Bradley Smith heads to Japan fully optimistic of producing a solid performance in front of the ever ecstatic crowd whilst he intends to extend his impressive 100% record of finishing every race no lower than 8th this season. The 24 year old rider is currently in 5th place in the championship and hopes to record another competitive result in Sunday’s 24 lap sprint in order to add to his tally. Meanwhile, Pol Espargaro returns to the scene of his Moto2 victory in 2013 that saw him wrap up the World Championship title and he will be aiming to ride to glory this weekend. He is confident of commencing his trip to the east of the planet with a notable start by finishing inside the top six at the tricky Motegi circuit which features six left corners and eight right.
   


Bradley Smith  -  Championship :5th Points : 143 

“I am really looking forward to throwing my leg over the YZR-M1 at the Japanese GP, which is certainly a special one for me this year. Last time I raced in Japan, I was part of the Suzuka 8 Hours conquering team with Pol and Katsuyuki so I have some great memories which will give me extra motivation for this weekend. Moreover, it's Yamaha's home GP in their 60th anniversary year and it also sponsored by Motul, one of the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team’s partners, so I'll do my very best to perform as strongly as possible in order to give everybody a result to be happy about! In addition, I will be wearing a special helmet at Motegi which I hope the Japanese fans will appreciate. The circuit itself is certainly one of the more challenging tracks that we go to. The stop and go nature means there is a lot of aggressive braking and we must pay special attention to the tyres as well at this race. Yet, I have always enjoyed the track and so I aim get a strong setup quickly and then get the show on the road. I need to finish inside the top six in order to keep my championship ambitions alive, but I am ready to fight right until the chequered flag.”

Pol Espargaro - Championship : 10th Points : 88 

“We now head to the other side of the planet for the first of the three fly away GP’s. It's all back to back races, so it’s vital to start confidently in order to get the momentum going. Japan has been very good to me in the past as I won my 2013 Moto2 title there and also the Suzuka 8 Hours, therefore I am hoping to score another result to remember, on Sunday. Plus, the crowd in Motegi is really enthusiastic about MotoGP so I'd love to put on a great show for them. In terms of the track itself, I need to say that it is a special one and very demanding, that's why we are certainly not expecting an easy weekend. Still, we are well prepared and aim to hit the ground running on Friday in order to be able to attack qualifying at full speed and get a solid starting position for the race. I am really excited for the Grand Prix but also ready to work hard so that we can finish where we want to, especially as it’s Yamaha’s anniversary home GP.”


Hervé Poncharal - Team manager :

“It’s that time of the year when the flyaway events begin and we start the three GP’s by visiting Japan and the famous Motegi track. We really look forward to seeing the fans who truly love our sport and are not shy about showing it! Our two riders had a great time in Japan earlier this year in July where they won the event aboard the Yamaha YZR-R1, so this time we hope they can enjoy racing in the land of the raising sun aboard the YZR-M1. Brad has been running really well in the past few races and he needs to keep the ball rolling so that he has a good chance of finishing in 5th in the championship. It has been a very positive season for him, so we expect him to continue his push in the final four GP’s. As for Pol, he completed the Aragon battle lower than where he expected, but that has not knocked his determination and he is as strong as ever. Therefore, we know he can meet the chequered flag further up the grid at Motegi. The race will certainly not be easy for either rider, but Bradley and Pol are focused as well as prepared so they will do their best to please the Japanese fans.”