BRADLEY Smith heads into Sunday’s Japan MotoGP buoyed by the news he has kept his ride for 2018.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team have confirmed their line-up for next season, with the 26-year-old and Pol Espargaro remaining in the saddle.
Mika Kallio will stay on as the Austrian team’s test rider.
A KTM statement read: “KTM have supported Bradley Smith from the very first test in Valencia 2016.
“He has fitted into the team well and has worked hard at every test, practice and race as a new motorcycle is developed with new parts coming into the garage for every race.
“The team want to confirm that 2018 will remain as committed to Smith as before, as we both look forward to bettering results and lap times.”
The Forest Hill rider endured mixed fortunes in practice at Motegi today to post the 17th fastest time on the combined sheets.
He was tenth, ahead of Espargaro, in the first session, before he crashed out, unhurt, during a wet second.
The rain is set to continue in Japan over the weekend.
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