The Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro return to Europe this weekend for round 4 of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship fully confident of seizing success in the battle at Jerez. After the opening three rounds in Qatar, Texas and Argentina, the MotoGP paddock will embark on the European run, starting in Andalusia at the 4.4 kilometre circuit which is a firm favourite for riders and fans alike. The circuit can accommodate up to 250,00 fans who typically attend the event full of enthusiasm and passion.
Britain's Bradley Smith who has started his third year aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 brightly, will determinedly seek to follow up his strong double of two top six finishes in the last two races. Once again, he will aim to fight to finish as the leading satellite rider with another noticeable display at the fast flowing Circuito de Jerez. Young Spanish rider Pol Espargaro will look to storm to a top tier result in front of his home fans and join his teammate in fighting for the honours of the fastest satellite MotoGP rider in Sunday's 27 lap race. Espargaro has won twice at the circuit in the lower leagues and intends to add another strong finish to his successful tally here.
Bradley Smith
Championship: 7th
"I'm really excited about racing at Jerez this weekend and I aim to continue the positive momentum that I have so far this season. As it's my third year with the team aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1, I know the bike and the guys all well by now and I know we can be strong here in front of the superb crowd. The start of the year has been great and we've been in the hunt for the leading satellite position at every race so far. Now it's time to take to the European soil and fight for this again. This track has a special place in my heart as I won my first race in the 125cc class in 2009 and I've had some other strong results here as well, so this weekend I will be aiming to extend my positive record. The track is fast flowing and as always, Friday and Saturday will be crucial for setting up the bike for Sunday, but we are full of optimism and I can't wait to start the fight again."
Pol Espargaro
Championship: 9th
"After the first three races, we're heading back to Europe and for the first GP in my home country, which is always brilliant. The fans really help and motivate me and in Jerez the support is incredible. So I want to repay them with a great show in the race. We have been a bit unlucky in the three opening rounds and couldn't perform at our best, therefore I wasn't able to challenge my teammate. Yet, the team is doing a great job and I feel confident on the bike so overall, I am ready to go and challenge for the positions that I want and need to be in. The track is fast and it's such good fun to ride on the Yamaha, which really likes the rapid corners. We have a few things to work on, but we will hit the ground running, aim to qualify well and then see what happens. It was nice that we had a few days back at home to relax before we go to Andalusia for round 4 and the first European race, where I feel more confident about competing on these familiar tracks."
First European stop in Jerez for the team Athinà Forward Racing
After an overseas start of the season, it's time to go back to Europe for the team Athinà Forward Racing and its riders this weekend. The crew will be busy at Jerez de la Frontera where the bwin Spanish Grand Prix will take place.
After the first points in Argentina, Stefan Bradl and Loris Baz are looking forward to get back on track to fight for the lead of the Open class and gather more points riding their Yamaha Forward bike. Both rider will be working hard this weekend and will develop the bike further on Monday after the race with a test scheduled right after on the Spanish track.
Loris Baz
Championship: 19th
"In Argentina we worked really well and we made a good step forward. In the race I suffered in the early laps with a full tank, but then I found a very consistent pace and I finished the race in crescendo approaching my rivals. Jerez is a track I know, on which I have already raced and I have a good base to start with."
Stefan Bradl
Championship: 20th
"The race in Argentina was not an easy one for me. I collected the first points of the season, but in the race lost the feeling and I could not push hard. We did analyzed the data and we arrive at Jerez ready to do well and fight for the lead in the Open class: during the last test on this track I was very fast on the Yamaha Forward."