Moto GP ace Bradley Smith thrilled fans during the National Race Day last Friday, as he touched down in the kingdom to launch the MSK-KTM Racing Academy.
The KTM factory team rider, fresh from competing in the team’s debut season in the highest class of motorcycle racing, took part in a Q&A session and greeted guests at a corporate dinner.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa is the instigator behind the academy, which will offer two week courses for both 125CC and 390CC motorbikes.
He said: “KTM have provided these fantastic bikes for us, which are great for training. Anyone from the age of 14 and up can sign up, and the exercises are low speed as we firmly believe in learning basic bike skills and handling first.”
Smith provided a treat for attendees as he took them around the Bahrain International Circuit at racing speed. Amongst them was teenage St Christopher’s School pupil George Axtell who sat behind Smith as he hit speeds of 160mph and pulled wheelies.
His father, David, said: “George was grinning like a Cheshire Cat at the end, he’s not stopped talking about it! He’s always been really excited by motorcycle racing and now he wants to sign up to the academy and start learning properly!
“Smith was awesome, he was extremely happy to be here and easy to chat with. He was really forthcoming with insight into both his personal career and the motorcycle racing fraternity as a whole, which was refreshing.”
