In his latest column for Crash.net, Bradley Smith looks back on Sunday's Indianapolis Grand Prix, which saw the young Englishman return to the podium after a hard-fought race...I've just slept for 12 straight hours after returning from America which I assure you is a very rare occurrence in the Smith household. Obviously jet-lag had something to do with it but I think the effort I put in at Indianapolis and result helped me sleep so well.
What an awesome race and at last a return to the podium after what seems a very long time. It was a great race to be involved in. Five riders who did nothing silly or desperate with no kamikaze moves but just got on with the job of racing.
It was a race for thinkers because at Indianapolis it's very difficult to pass and you had to plan and prepare your passes. For instance, one of the favourite overtaking places was at the end of the back straight at turn nine but you had to prepare for such a move up the inside on the brakes, four corners before at turn five to find yourself in the right place.
The five of us set a good pace and stayed together throughout the race but I'd kept around ten per cent in my pocket and with two laps to go I went for it. I'd been strong into turn one all race and knew I had to have only one rider to pass on the last lap to have any chance of winning. With a lap to go I was third coming onto the long start and finish straight but was planning that move round the outside of Nico Terol all the way down and it worked. I had to be careful because there was only around two metres of clean track and if you got out into the dirty stuff you were in trouble - as Valentino Rossi found out in the MotoGP race.
It worked but I just could not pass Pol Espargaro on that last lap despite setting the fastest lap of the race but it felt great to be back in parc ferme and then on the podium. Those 20 points for second place have really helped me in the Championship battle with both Terol and Julian Simon finishing behind me. I'm still third in the world championship but just one point behind Nico. I felt a little sorry for him because he'd led for 21 of the 23 laps but only finished in fourth place.
Everything went well right from the moment we arrived. The set up for the bike required very few changes and despite qualifying on the second row in fifth place I'd managed some fast consistent laps.
Just a couple of days at home and then to Misano in Italy for round 12 of the championship on Sunday. The track is a one off and a bit like Indianapolis but much nearer the beach, I finished second there last year and it's vital that I grab at least another podium finish with that three week break coming up. The last time I raced in Italy I won in Mugello and a repeat would be brilliant especially as some of my team live very close to the circuit.
I really enjoy going to Indianapolis and they make you so welcome from the moment you arrive with a good morning when they check your passes coming into the paddock. Everything is so well organised and especially the getting in and out of the circuit. Misano will be a complete contrast but equally enjoyable for very different reasons. That's what makes a true world championship so exciting.
Bradley Smith
