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Bradley Smith admits his tyre gamble was “stupid”

San Marino Grand Prix podium finisher Bradley Smith was amazed that his “stupid” decision to stay on slick tyres during a rain shower resulted in a second place finish at Misano.

Bradley Smith, Tech 3 Yamaha

Bradley Smith, Tech 3 Yamaha

Bridgestone

Third place Bradley Smith
Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Bradley Smith, Monster Tech 3 Yamaha

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Smith scored his second MotoGP podium in a crazy dry-wet-dry race, having dropped as low as 20th and lapping almost 15s off the pace. However, when the track dried he was lapping 10s faster than the leaders at one point and he finished just 7s behind reigning champion Marc Marquez.

“It was stupid,” said Smith. “Everyone told me it would rain for a little spot and then it would disappear. It was raining and I saw there was 20 laps to go, so I thought it could dry and they’d be on wets that would be ruined in the end.

“I was trying to do all these calculations inside my head – maybe they’ll do two pitstops? – and in the end I thought ‘I’ve already stayed out four laps longer than I should, so I’m in it for the long haul', so I just kept telling myself ‘luck favours the brave!’ I honestly never expected to see P2 on the board.

“When I did a 2m18s lap [dry pole was 1m32s] I thought ‘what am I doing? What have you got yourself into Bradley Smith?’ I just had a basic feeling, so I stayed with it. I could see that a dry line kept on coming, obviously then I had a good feel for the slicks and could find my way through.

“To see P20 at one point and then P2 at the end is a great surprise. These are the opportunities we have to take, the chance for a satellite rider to get on the podium, and I did it.”

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