Smith Crew Chief reviews podium performance

After seeing Bradley Smith achieve the second podium finish of his career and the first with his new team Polaris World in Jerez the British riders Crew Chief Daniele Cecchini was full of praise for the gifted 17 year-old.

The 2008 season has started with two pole positions for Smith, following a good preseason testing programme onboard his new Aprilia machinery, though Sundays third place was a relief after a frustrating time in Qatar which saw him finish just outside the points due to a techincal problem.

`Bradley is a fast, technically gifted and professional rider. We had a bad weekend in Qatar, but in Jerez we were able to do some good things,´ said Cecchini on MotoGP Academy product Smiths achievement. `The third place is a great result, and we hope that is only the beginning.´

On the specifics of the Gran Premio bwin.com de España 125cc race, Cecchini added, `(Nico) Terol and (Simone) Corsi had a very good pace. Bradley had to fight for the third place against (Stefan) Bradl, and he couldn´t stay with the Jack&Jones WRB riders. But he was doing the same times as Corsi.´

When asked whether Smith has a good chance of fighting for the single cylinder World title this season, the Italian mechanic replied, `We can only look forward race by race. Our plan is to be the best, taking more podiums and, if possible, to win some GPs. We´re not thinking about the championship, it´s too early!´