A long winter has finally come to its end for the 125cc World Championship contenders as the countdown to the 2010 season begins this week. For the third year in succession the campaign starts under floodlights in Qatar and with reigning World Champion Julián Simón having stepped up to the Moto2 class the minor category throne is very much vacant. A lot of work has taken place over eleven days of preseason testing, during which the leading contenders have established their credentials. With just days to go before they line up on the grid, it seems four Spaniards and an Englishman will do battle for the major honours in the opening race.
Bancaja pair Nico Terol and Bradley Smith are on that small list of pre-race favourites, with the Spaniard ready to contest his sixth season at this level and the Brit his fifth. Smith, from Oxfordshire, finished one place ahead of his new team-mate in 2009 as he took the runner-up position behind Simón and he has both the experience and the preseason form to suggest that he could go one better in 2010. However, both riders know that anything can happen in 125 and they will be looking to get off on the right foot at Losail, a circuit they both love.
Nico Terol: “I’m really happy with preseason. We have made progress with every test and even though the weather hasn’t always been on our side we were lucky to benefit from ideal conditions in the last session at Jerez. My progression has been positive and I think we go to Qatar in strong shape, feeling comfortable. There are some really tough rivals in this class, as there are every year, but I have a lot of confidence – especially in terms of technical backing – and I know we’re ready to fight with the best. I love the feeling of racing at night. Losail is a circuit with every kind of corner – it is tough but I like that because it makes you work. The objective now is to prepare the bike as best we can in the time available and try to win the race!”
Bradley Smith: “I really can’t wait to get out to Qatar, to feel the pressure of a Grand Prix again and to be in the middle of the real action. Obviously you have less time to work at a GP than you do during a test so we will have to be very focused. Preseason has gone really well so I am calm and confident that we can do a good job. I think I have the necessary experience to handle whatever is thrown at us. As I said testing went well and even though you could always do with a bit extra I am keen to begin the fight for points. The first race is always special because it is when you really get to see what everybody has got and how well you have done your job over the winter. I love Losail as a circuit – I just hope that we don’t have a repeat of last year’s weather and that I can be fighting for the win.”
