Tech3 Moto2 rider Bradley Smith scythed through the field from 28th on the grid to take second place in this morning's Silverstone round on a soaking wet track.
The Oxfordshire copper top passed almost the entire field to take the podium, including fellow Brit Scott Redding, and was only denied the win by a small margin by championship leader Stefan Bradl. Redding got away with the leaders and was in front a few times before Bradl put a gap on the Gloucestershire man and he sank back into the claws of first Michele Pirro and then Jules Cluzel before Smith also made his way past.
“It hasn't sunk in yet to be honest. The rain definitely helped me out today and I doubt I'd have finished second if it was a dry race, so for once I'm not going to complain about the British weather. Starting from 28th I knew I had to make a good start and Rabat went in really hot into the first corner and sat a lot of people up and I was nearly off the track. But going into turn three I went right around the outside of about five people and just kept making moves," said Smith.
"In the pack the spray was really bad and I couldn't see anything, so I just got my head down and went for it. I had a really good pace but I had nothing for Stefan. I tried to keep a fast pace and put some pressure on him but he was cool and never really made a mistake that gave me a chance. But to finish second after all the chaos and drama of yesterday, it is something that I never expected when I wo ke up this morning. To finish on the podium in my home race two years in a row is an amazing feeling.
"I love Silverstone, so I can't wait to come back here next year already. Looking at the Championship I'm only 18-points behind second position, which is unbelievable considering we've had some bad luck at the start of the year. I want to say thanks to my Tech 3 Racing Team because they have done an awesome job and this gives us a lot of confidence for the next few races.”
