BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Honda rider Stefan Bradl (pictured ), who managed just a single podium finish last season, feels confident of posting MotoGP wins in the new season that commences on March 23 at Losail International Circuit.
The 24-year-old German finished second at the US Grand Prix last season which saw him go down with an ankle injury followed by surgery in October.
With just two weeks to go before the MotoGP curtain-raiser at Qatar’s imposing Losail Circuit, Bradl has declared himself fit and raring to go.
“No, I am not nervous. I am ready to go. I can’t wait for the new season to begin. Then I hope we can do a good job but overall I am ready to go,” Bradl said prior to his first pre-season run at Losail Circuit yesterday.
“I have recovered (from the surgery) but I have two screws inside (the ankle) but almost zero problem. Everything is fine. I don’t feel anything on the bike so I am 100 percent fit. I feel 100 percent,” the former Moto2 world champion added.
“I feel good (about my speed). I think it is going to work out well,” Bradl said. My target is podiums in the new season as much as possible,” he added. “(I have) high expectations as always. I want to go for maximum,” the Honda rider said.
When asked about his 2013 season, when he finishes 7th on the championship points table, Bradl said it was a mixed bag.
“I would say there were some ups and downs (in 2013),” Bradl said. “We did race some good weekends and we had some bad luck and injury concerns at some races so overall it was like that. I was satisfied but we expected just a little bit more,” the German said.
Bradl said his graduation from Moto2 to MotoGP in 2012 has gone well.
“I think it was quite a good change (from Moto2 to MotoGP). If you can do something better, then you have experience. Overall I am happy that I joined MotoGP. It (the results) could have been better but it could have been worse also,” Bradl said.
Bradl said the pre-season testing was a good primer about his chances in the new season.
“So far it has been good. In Sepang we were not far away from the top five. Now I have these three days here in Qatar in the night. We should be well prepared for the first race here,” Bradl said.
The German said he loved coming to Losail Circuit, a venue where he won his first podium in 2011.
“I like it (night racing). I like the rhythm. At night races, you can wake up late, you go to bed late. For me, it is fine. It is not something I would like to have every weekend but it is something special. I am looking forward to the night tests here. I have no problems with races at night. We are preparing for the first race,” Bradl said.
“I like the circuit here. I have done well in Qatar. I like the layout. Overall I like the country. It is a great way to start the season here. We have to score points in the first race. Then we will see what kind of results we get (later in the season),” he said.
When asked about MotoGP’s decision to introduce a third class for the 2014 season, Bradl said: “It (new class) will be a big change. We have to see how we go about the first race. The regulations and the tyre situation plus the fuel situation - we have to see all that. We will wait for the first race. We have to see if we are going to go too fast. It may be complicated for everybody. If this is going to be the future, I cannot change it (but) I have to do 100 percent.”
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