Wednesday 8th October 2008
Smith surprised by new deal
Bradley Smith has admitted his surprise at signing to race for the Aspar Aprilia team in the next two seasons.
The Oxfordshire teenager turned the same team down at the end of last season to sign for Polaris World Aprilia, but with his current team not racing next season Smith has agreed to join Spanish rider Julian Simon to race the 125cc world championship for Aspar Aprilia next season.
"It's a great compliment and a bit of a surprise to me because being honest, I've not had the best of seasons and I also turned them down at the end of last season," said Smith in his column on www.crash.net.
"Despite this they kept up their interest in signing me when there are other riders around who are having a better season than me."
Smith is well aware of the pedigree of team owner Jorge Martinez and also that of the team's 250cc GP riders.
He added: "It's a great team to join because they have won world championships, Jorge Martinez the team owner is a multiple world champion and I will be in the same team as Gabor Talmacsi and Alvaro Bautista who are former world champions.
"I will continue riding in the 125cc class next season but have an option to ride in the 250cc class with them a year later.
"It's great to be sorted out for the next two years but I feel so sorry for my present team, who will not be running next year.
"Understandably because of the economic situation Polaris World can't sponsor the team and so everybody will be looking for new jobs.
"I feel really gutted for them because they are good people who have spent so much time and effort on my behalf. There is nothing I want more than to win one of the last two remaining grands prix for them to say thank you."
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