IN
THE
WIND
P32
BRADLEY SMITH OFF TO KTM
B
radley Smith is to join the
new KTM MotoGP outfit next
year, when the Austrian machine
makes its debut in the senior
class.
The Briton announced his sur-
prise decision on race morning,
confirming on British TV that he
has inked a two-year deal.
Smith has been with the Mon-
ster Yamaha team for the past
two years, but with the squad
used as a holding base for pos-
sible future factory riders, his
future there was far from certain.
Even this year's contract had
been delayed in spite of the fact
that he was top satellite rider last
year, while favored teammate
Pol Espargaro had been signed
on early.
Along with Rossi's signing,
this makes for an ear-
liest-ever start to the
so-called silly season.
Rossi's contract blocks
off one highly tempt-
ing seat to would-be
younger riders.
Should Lorenzo also
renew, which some consider
unlikely, that means two other
Spanish riders will have to make
other plans. Pol Espargaro was
already contracted to Yamaha
to ride in the satellite Monster
team, but has not covered him-
self in glory. Alex Rins, currently
in Moto2, was also earmarked to
join the Yamaha lineup.
But seats are likely to fall
vacant at Ducati, Aprilia and
Suzuki, and the arrival next year
of KTM means interesting new
opportunities.
Reports from early tests of
the Austrian company's 2017
machine have been impressive,
and Smith is not the only one to
have expressed an interest.
Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa
has also been linked with a pos-
sible move to KTM. Michael Scott
GUY MARTIN HOPES TO BREAK WALL
OF DEATH RECORD
I
sle of Man TT legend Guy Martin will attempt to
add another notch on his motorcycling belt this
Easter Monday as he attempts to break the
world record for the widest Wall of Death ride
in history.
Martin will ride an Indian Scout around the
120ft diameter wood lined drum, in a show that
will be televised live in the UK but sadly not
here in the U.S.
Martin has been under the tutelage of
Wall of Death expert Ken Fox for the past 12
months for his record attempt, a ride even Fox
is saying is "nuts."
Check out the trailer from Britain's Channel4 here.
Smith struck early in the
contract negations to
secure the prized KTM
role for 2017.
