Smith, Bradl and Iannone set for Sachsenring Turn 11 test

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British rider Bradley Smith, LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl and Italian Andrea Iannone have been selected to take part in a special pre-race test at the Sachsenring on Thursday to assess whether the German venue’s jaw-dropping Turn 11 needs modifying for 2015.

The blind entry right-hander is taken flat-out in fourth gear at around 130mph and is regarded as one of the most daunting sections of tarmac on the whole 18-round calendar.

The downhill plunge, nicknamed the ‘Waterfall’ has been the scene of several big crashes in the past, and it was initially thought the corner could be altered ahead of this year’s clash.

MotoGP Safety Officer Loris Capirossi took part in a special test back in March when he rode a BMW S1000RR around artificial kerbing to understand if a re-profiling of Turns 10 and 11 would make the section safer.

But with no time implement any proposed modifications for this season, it has been decided that a rider representing each manufacturer will lap the Sachsenring to evaluate potential changes for next year.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Smith, German Bradl and Pramac Ducati rider Iannone will each complete a few laps later this week, evaluating the proposed new layout, before giving their opinions to the Safety Commission.

Earlier this season, MotoGP Race Director Mike Webb told MCN: “Loris and Franco Uncini came up with what they thought was a reasonable solution and we all agree in the Safety Commission that on paper it looks fine. But a final decision will be taken the day before practice this year. A selected rider from each manufacturer will go and do some laps and evaluate it on a proper MotoGP bike to come up with an opinion from the current riders rather than from Race Direction. As they will only ride it on Thursday there is no way that can be changed for Friday, so it will be for the following year. But we want to be sure if we change that it will be right.”

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