British ex-MotoGP rider Bradley Smith is to make a surprise debut in the 2022 WorldSSP Championship after being called up by title-winners Ten Kate Yamaha for the upcoming Argentina round.
A veteran of the Grand Prix classes with three wins (all 125GP), Smith is unusual in that he has collected podiums in all four categories - MotoGP, Moto2, 125GP and MotoE - totalling 29.
With credits in EWC and CIV Italian series, this outing at the San Juan Villicum circuit will nonetheless be the first time Smith has competed production spec series internationally.
He replaces Leonardo Taccini on the Ten Kate Yamaha R6, who suffered a broken wrist in a crash last time out at Portimao. Smith will be paired with the Dutch team’s WorldSSP champion-elect Dominique Aegerter.
“What a great opportunity for me to join the Ten Kate Racing team. After a tough season with injuries, it’s a great way to end the year, so thank you to the team for asking me for the Argentinean Round.
“There is a lot coming at me in Villicum: the bike, the tyres, the track and the WorldSBK Championship are all new to me. But having been at the circuit in Portimao, I’m looking forward to being part of an ultra-competitive World Supersport category.”
Smith spent seven seasons competing in MotoGP, making his debut with Tech 3 Yamaha in 2013 before switching to the incoming KTM Factory Racing effort in 2017 for two years. After departing to become Aprilia MotoGP test rider for 2019, Smith got a surprise full season in 2020 in place of Andrea Iannone following his doping ban.
He was intending to compete in the MotoE World Cup this year but the first half of the season after sustaining injuries sustained in a horrific startling EWC crash at Le Mans, before then
