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Team Statement: Bradley Smith
NEWS

Bradley Smith had been scheduled to race the Spirit SP2 at Snetterton this weekend, but he informed the team’s management by email on Thursday morning that he would not be participating at the event.

We were therefore extremely shocked and disappointed to learn that he was in competition elsewhere in the UK this weekend at a Motocross event.

It appears clear to us from this revelation (and from learning of conversations he had with people in attendance at the British Grand Prix) that he never had any intention of riding for us at Snetterton.

A huge amount of time, money and effort was put in by the team to firstly build a brand-new bike for Bradley and then prepare for the event with two test days.

On the completion of the second test last Tuesday, just a few days before the event, nothing was mentioned about not racing at Snetterton.

The team is disappointed by the lack of professionalism displayed and the disrespect he has shown to all of us.

Wull wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:26 pm Yeah not cool imho. Fuck him! He’s ginger anyway

Yorick wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:30 pm That's a surprise. But there's 2 sides to a story.

BRADLEY Smith has postponed his wildcard appearance for Dorset team Spirit Moto Corsa due to “personal reasons”.

Former Moto GP star Smith, 30, spent eight seasons in the world’s highest level of motorcycling, racking up 119 races and two podiums.

Smith now has his own motorcycling team in Spanish Superbikes with his Project 109.

The British rider had agreed to ride for Shaftesbury team Spirit at Snetterton this weekend and tested for the Dorset giants this week.

However, Smith will now delay his appearance with the GP2 squad.

“Unfortunately, Bradley Smith has had to postpone his wildcard appearance for the team and will instead participate at another round this season,” a Spirit statement read.

“This morning we were informed that he is unable to ride this weekend at Snetterton for personal reasons.

“The team is disappointed by the news having had a successful test at the circuit on Tuesday, where he made good progress on the bike setup.

READ MORE: Bradley Smith to ride for Spirit as wildcard rider

“Bradley was impressed by both the bike and team and his feedback has helped develop the Spirit SP2 further ahead of this weekend.

“We look forward to seeing him on the bike again soon.”

Spirit will instead continue with GP2 champion Mason Law and teammate Jamie Perrin at Snetterton.

weeksy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:47 pm But the personal reasons were to ride an MX bike?

We were therefore extremely shocked and disappointed to learn that he was in competition elsewhere in the UK this weekend at a Motocross event.

weeksy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:55 pm Not proven?

The team said it

We were therefore extremely shocked and disappointed to learn that he was in competition elsewhere in the UK this weekend at a Motocross event.

Yorick wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:07 pm

weeksy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:55 pm Not proven?

The team said it

We were therefore extremely shocked and disappointed to learn that he was in competition elsewhere in the UK this weekend at a Motocross event.

Hmm. That's only 1 side. Not proof, yet.

MrLongbeard wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:17 pm

Yorick wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:07 pm

weeksy wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:55 pm Not proven?

The team said it

Hmm. That's only 1 side. Not proof, yet.

Well he's listed in the Apico 2 Stroke festival program

Bigyin wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:05 pm Some other stuff coming out on twatter about him being habitually the one who ignores fans and generally offish to people outside the paddock who have no influence over his career.

Also an interesting statement from a photographer who was asked to take pics in the early part of Smiths career and when the normal payment was asked for it was "we thought you would do it to help him out and didnt expect to have to pay" and finished in a reluctant payment after a lot of requests. That might not sound like much but the photographer was David Goldman who is regarded as one of the top in the field. To try and mug him off is pretty much unheard of and Goldman has been quite vocal about it following the Spirit announcement and people sticking up for Smith

lostboy wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:57 am

Bigyin wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:05 pm Some other stuff coming out on twatter about him being habitually the one who ignores fans and generally offish to people outside the paddock who have no influence over his career.

Also an interesting statement from a photographer who was asked to take pics in the early part of Smiths career and when the normal payment was asked for it was "we thought you would do it to help him out and didnt expect to have to pay" and finished in a reluctant payment after a lot of requests. That might not sound like much but the photographer was David Goldman who is regarded as one of the top in the field. To try and mug him off is pretty much unheard of and Goldman has been quite vocal about it following the Spirit announcement and people sticking up for Smith

It's a very different experience than we have had of him across a few years at the Losail GPs. But as ever, can only speak as you find and we found him a very engaging, very amusing, very dedicated rider (to the point of wanting us to hold his sunglasses when he was weighed so that he knew his real weight all kitted up).

lostboy wrote: Thu Sep 09, 2021 10:57 am

It's a very different experience than we have had of him across a few years at the Losail GPs. But as ever, can only speak as you find and we found him a very engaging, very amusing, very dedicated rider (to the point of wanting us to hold his sunglasses when he was weighed so that he knew his real weight all kitted up).