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British rider Bradley Smith will move up to MotoGP from Moto2 in 2013 after signing a three-year deal with his French-based Yamaha Tech3 team.
The team said Smith, runner-up in the 125cc World championship in 2009, would remain with Tech3 in Moto2 for 2012 with Belgian rider Xavier Simeon.
"We are in no doubt that in 2012 he can be a genuine title contender before he makes the step to MotoGP," said team manager Herve Poncharal. "One more year in Moto2 will help him gain valuable experience so when he moves to our MotoGP Team in 2013 he will be immediately competitive."
'BOTH HANDS'
Smith, 20, added: "To think I'll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe. I've worked so hard for many years to earn a chance like this. Now it has come I intend to grab it with both hands."
Tech3 has British rider Cal Crutchlow as one of its riders in MotoGP. Their other rider, American Colin Edwards, will move to the new NGM Forward team which is expected to use a Yamaha engine and Tech3 chassis in MotoGP in 2012.
The team said Smith, runner-up in the 125cc World championship in 2009, would remain with Tech3 in Moto2 for 2012 with Belgian rider Xavier Simeon.
"We are in no doubt that in 2012 he can be a genuine title contender before he makes the step to MotoGP," said team manager Herve Poncharal. "One more year in Moto2 will help him gain valuable experience so when he moves to our MotoGP Team in 2013 he will be immediately competitive."
'BOTH HANDS'
Smith, 20, added: "To think I'll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe. I've worked so hard for many years to earn a chance like this. Now it has come I intend to grab it with both hands."
Tech3 has British rider Cal Crutchlow as one of its riders in MotoGP. Their other rider, American Colin Edwards, will move to the new NGM Forward team which is expected to use a Yamaha engine and Tech3 chassis in MotoGP in 2012.
