Bradley Smith says he felt like a 'kid in a sweet shop' at KTM during MotoGP winter testing, after the Austrian manufacturer brought many new parts to evaluate.
Smith remains with KTM for the 2018 season despite rumours arising midway through last year that he was to be replaced by test rider Mika Kallio, having struggled for form on the RC16 in the first half of the campaign.
The British rider – who was 21st in the standings in '17 – enjoyed a positive pre-season, ending the final Qatar test 14th fastest and just over a second off of the best pace set by Tech3 Yamaha's Johann Zarco.
Smith said “60 to 70 percent” of new items KTM brought to tests tended to be a step forward, and admits he is feeling happier on the bike than he did last year.
He said, when asked about KTM's busy test schedule: “I never complain about that; I'm a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to KTM and parts.
“I have a lot of guys who are way smarter than me, so I leave them to worry about all the technical knowledge.
“But, of course, when I see a testing program full of test items it always brightens my day, especially when 60, 70 percent of what we try is working in the right direction and making improvements, and making me feel more happy and comfortable on the bike.
“I think that was one thing that was missing at certain points last season, was feeling happy and comfortable, and that's come back and it's nice to be in this situation.”
Smith's current deal with the Austrian manufacturer expires at the end of this season, and is wary much of the grid is out of contract this year.
However he is adamant he, as well as teammate Pol Espargaro, joined KTM “for more than two years”.
“It's a big season,” he stated. I think six guys already confirmed for the future, and that's something that all riders have in the back of their mind because we're here working, but we're doing what we love and obviously you still want to be here.
“The thing is, I think both me and Pol came to this project for more than two years.
“We've had a fantastic first one, I can't imagine it being anything other than fantastic in the second, and the idea is to take this – what a story it would be – bike from the last couple of positions in qualifying in Qatar [at the beginning of 2017] to a podium or even a race win.
“We believe in everyone around this project, and they believe in us. If they didn't we wouldn't be in this situation, and the goal is to move forward.”
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