Tech3 Duo Excited For Dawn of 2015 Season as Sepang Tests Begin

On the other side of the Monster Yamaha Tech3 garage,Bradley Smith will be seeking to continue his strong end to 2014 and will look to lead the challenge for the top satellite bike this year.

"I'm very excited to get 2015 underway with Monster Yamaha Tech3." Smith admitted. "This will be my third season with the team in the MotoGP class and I am grateful to Herve and Yamaha plus I look forward to continuing our relationship.

"We all know each other well and we've had two great learning years together so I am expecting bigger and better things in 2015, having already taken my debut podium last season. My ambition for the year will be to replicate another podium finish and we must really look at being the top satellite bike.

"This will entail a lot of hard work from now onwards but if we can continue the progress and the improvements we made in the latter part of last season, then we will surely get strong results. I am thrilled to be throwing my leg over the Yamaha again this week for the first Sepang test.

"We more or less know the 2015 package which we tested at Valencia in November, so this week will involve shaking off the cobwebs and adjusting back to riding at 350 km/h. I've had a really productive winter season where I've trained hard and ridden a lot, so I'm feeling optimistic and I am in good form to start working with the Yamaha YZR-M1 for a successful 2015 season."

With both riders confident after a productive winter break where training for the upcoming season was the main objective, the first of the three testing events will commence on the 4th until the 6th of February.

"Now it is time to finally get the ball rolling and head back to the track for what will be a very important season for our riders and also the team which is in it's 15th year in MotoGP." Herv̩ Poncharal - Team manager added. "It makes me proud to know that Guy Coulon and I have worked together for so long and provided platforms for riders to show their talents on.

"We have a great relationship with both Yamaha and Monster Energy as well as our other sponsors and I want to thank them all. This year will be a tough one for the guys, but everyone knows they are fast and amongst the world's best plus up for the fight.

"It looks like they had a good break and seem really fired up to get back on their Yamaha's. This week will ease them both back into the swing of things but we still have objectives and work to be done in preparation for the season opener in Qatar.

"Pol did a tremendous job last year in his rookie season and we hope he will continue to put all of his effort in to be the leading satellite bike and perhaps battle with some of the factory riders. As for Bradley, we have worked with him for a long time and this will be his third year in the premier class so we hope he can join his teammate in fighting for strong finishes and adding to his podium tally.

"Both of the riders have the potential to do really well and the team is all in it together with them for the fight. It's been a long wait over the winter months, but it's time to get the show back on the road"

Top Image: Pol Espargaro