Bradley Smith

With just seven rounds remaining of the 125cc World Championship the title race is wide open, with Spanish trio Márquez, Terol and Espargaró separated by just five points after another titanic tussle at Indianapolis. The three have dominated the season so far and, with Bancaja Aspar rider Bradley Smith also sure to be fighting for wins, they look certain to maintain their stranglehold to the end of the year. The only question is which one of them will take the title.

Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol has returned from a mid-season injury even stronger than ever, taking back to back wins at Brno and Indianapolis. His most recent success has brought him to within striking distance of the championship lead, which he would secure with victory on Sunday regardless of other results. The only man who has looked capable of breaking up the Spanish dominance this season is British teenager Smith, who was in fine form at Indianapolis before crashing out of the battle for second place in the race. Far from letting his head drop, Bradley plans to continue to take the fight to them at Misano, where he went from pole to third last year - a result he hopes to repeat at the very least on Sunday.

Bradley Smith: "Misano is a fabulous track. Once again we were unable to round off a good weekend with a result at Indy but that just gives me even more motivation and desire to get a result at Misano. Our chassis set-up is really good but we still need to get more out of the engine to improve our performance so that's the target this weekend. Despite the crash at the last round I am optimistic because Misano is a circuit where I know we can find a good set-up and be fast from Friday. My mechanics are Italian and a lot of them are from near Misano so I'd love to get a good result for them. We'll all work very hard to make sure the weekend ends in the best way possible."

For a category so frequently associated with group races, the 125cc Indianapolis race was nothing of the sort. The target of 1'48 laps was also almost out of the agenda, as only Nico Terol and Marc Márquez were able to put a pair of these on the board. Márquez broke away early and was followed from afar by Terol, with a runaway win for the series leader on the cards. However, an eighth lap crash left the race to Terol, who took victory. Smith, Cortese and Espargaró looked for pódium places, with Cortese and Espargaró the eventual top three.

Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol was once again the winner in Indianapolis, despite losing seven tenths of a second to Márquez on the opening lap. The Spaniard gritted his teeth and waited on a mistake -one that came on lap eight and left him as leader. For fifteen laps he kept his cool on a hot Indianapolis track, taking his second win at the American circuit and moving back into contention for the 2010 125cc title.

Bradley Smith had less good fortune, starting from third on the grid. On the tenth lap he was up to second and looking to equal his best result of the year from Barcelona, but two laps later he received a shock. Falling at turn eleven, Smith's race ended just when it was looking like being a good day for the Briton.

Bradley Smith (DNF): "I tried to get a good start, but it wasn't possible and Marc and Nico got ahead. It was up to me to make up positions and, upon doing so, give everything that I had. I was pushing hard because I wanted to overtake the group in which I was riding and catch up with the frontrunners. There were a few corners in which the bike was sliding about a bit, but I didn't want to give up and looked to find my limit. I was enjoying what I like best, but unfortunately sometimes when you look for your limit you find and then pass it. It was a pity to have fallen, because I wanted a good result and the engine was running superbly. I didn't want to end my weekend like this, but at least I am convinced that I gave my all. Now I have to focus on next weekend's race in Misano, where I hope to give a better showing for my team."

The top handful of riders continued to distance themselves from the rest of the field today as series leader Marc Márquez smashed the pole record by 1.2 seconds with a lap of 1'48.124. Bancaja Aspar pair Nico Terol and Bradley Smith were right behind him and even though the Spaniards were the only two to break the 1'49 barrier the British teenager is determined to take the race to them tomorrow.

High temperatures and low grip levels led to more than the odd scare today, as well as a few crashes, and it promises to be a dramatic race tomorrow. It looks unlikely that 1'48 lap times will be set in the race and as such it should be a six or seven way battle, with both Bancaja Aspar riders looking to repeat past podium finishes here at the Brickyard.

3rd Bradley Smith 1.49.026 (19 laps): "The most important thing today is that we got on the front row, which was crucial because the first section of this track is difficult and you need a good starting position. I am a little disappointed though because we're a second off Nico and Marc so we need to close that gap. They did some fast laps but I don't think they'll be able to match that pace in the race. The track is slippery and we'll have to take a lot of care not to crash tomorrow. My pace was good, I got confident and the tyres seem stable so I think we have a chance tomorrow. The race will depend a lot on the start but it could either be a three-way fight for the win or a bigger group of six to seven."

Blue skies and 29ºC temperatures welcomed the 125cc World Championship to Indianapolis, which saw some surprises at the top of the timesheets in the opening free practice. Normal order was restored after twenty minutes as Terol, Smith, Márquez, Espargaró and Cortese battled for top spot - all five riders lapping in the 1'49s and separated by just four tenths of a second. A further gap of three tenths separates them from the rest of the field and although Márquez finished on top today it promises to be an intense battle for pole position tomorrow.

Bancaja Aspar pair Nico Terol and Bradley Smith can fully expect to be in with a chance after both topping the time sheets at some stage today, at one point engaging in a straight head-to-head battle for first place that was reminiscent of their dominance of practice in Brno two weeks ago. Both riders made three pit stops today and both set their best times on the final lap. Nico finished third fastest and Bradley fifth although they are hopeful of improving on those positions in tomorrow's qualifying session.

5th Bradley Smith 1.49.908 (24 laps): "The good thing about today is that we're not far off in terms of times but I didn't really get a good feel for the rear of the bike. My feeling with the front in the slow corners is really good and I feel really confident with it but in the fast sections I don't have as much grip as I'd like. Anyway, I'm happy because everything seems to be working well and if we can sort out the rear grip tomorrow we'll have a really good setting. We'll try and get a bit more out of the engine tomorrow too but we still have plenty of time and I'm happy with where we're at for the first day."

The 125cc World Championship contenders make their second intercontinental trip of the season this weekend with a journey across the Atlantic to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The battle for the title remains wide open after a dramatic round in the Czech Republic that saw series leader Marc Marquez injured and Bancaja Aspar Nico Terol break the youngster's winning streak. It is sure to be another tense affair this Sunday, with last year's thrilling five-man battle over the final lap still fresh in the mind.

Terol came back from his own injury in better shape than ever to take a dominant victory and close the gap to Marquez to just 23 points, with 200 still up for grabs before the end of the season. The Spaniard now heads to the scene of his debut victory back in 2008 looking to move even closer to his compatriot in the rider standings and atone for a last-lap mistake that almost certainly cost him the win here last year. His team-mate Bradley Smith was one of the five riders involved in that epic battle last year, the British rider eventually taking second place. Smith dominated the weekend at Brno up until a weather-hit race and he is determined to bounce back with a podium this weekend.

Bradley Smith: "We had a fantastic weekend at Brno up until the Sunday, which was a disaster, so hopefully we can make up for it this weekend at Indianapolis. I am feeling very motivated and focused  - I need to have a good Grand Prix right the way through to the end. I have enjoyed Indianapolis every time we have been because I love the circuit and I actually hold the current lap record, although it is important we look to improve on it this weekend. I finished second last year after a great battle with four other riders so I know we can be fast there, we have a setting that works and so the main focus is to enjoy myself and get at least a podium."

The 2011 Moto2 world championship maybe seven months away, but Bradley Smith has already kicked off preparations for next season.

The 19-year-old was spotted testing a production Honda CBR600RR at the Ron Haslam School at Silverstone earlier this week.

Smith, who is currently fourth in the 125GP standings, has targeted a move to the ultra-competitive Moto2 class next season.

And he’s already getting down to the business of adapting to a 600cc four-stroke, spending time getting tuition of former 500GP star Ron Haslam before he completed a few laps with 2010 World Superbike contender Leon Haslam.

The Moto2 class features Honda-powered 600cc four-stroke engines housed in prototype chassis and has been a big success in 2010 with over 40 entries.

Smith, who has held talks with the Tech 3 and Marc VDS Racing Moto2 squad’s in recent weeks, told MCN: “Being given a few tips by Ron was a great thing and I really enjoyed it, so a big thanks to the him and Leon for letting me come and have a go at the school.

"I was backing it into corners and getting used to having a bike move around a lot underneath me so I feel I’ve already learned a lot.”

Smith, who had only ever completed ten laps on a 600 previously at the Cartagena circuit in Spain last year, added: “When I first rode a 600 I wasn’t overly keen and confident but now I feel I’ve got a lot more understanding of what you need and I enjoyed it.”

There was a serious side to Smith’s test though as he bids to join Scott Redding in Moto2 next season.

He said: “I don’t want to start next season on the back foot so the earlier I can start the preparations the better. I want to go to Moto2 next year and I need to start learning how to ride a 600 and this was the perfect chance without the stopwatch being on me.

"I want to be in the best position possible so that if I do get a ride in Moto2, I’m going to be able to perform from the word go.

"I want to be ready from race one rather than needing time to get into it. But Moto2 is definitely the avenue I’m chasing.”

Back after a break, little had changed since Germany for the 125cc riders on track. The start of the Sunday race at the Czech Republic was once again thrown into disarray by rain, as this time the start was delayed due to a downpour two minutes before the scheduled take off. Race Direction changed their classification of the contest from a dry to a wet race, and the teams responded by putting on wet tyres. The problem came when the track dried over the course of the race, but Nico Terol proved to be the best at handling the tricky conditions.

Bancaja Aspar's Nico Terol was returning to action after a nasty injury picked up at Montmelo, and proved that he had lost none of his sharpness with a runaway win. He clocked the fastest time on Friday, headed the timesheets for most of the weekend and took off swiftly and effectively in the race itself. A series of hot laps took him away from his rivals, allowing him to take less risks later on. He almost cruised to the line to take the 25 points and winner's trophy, victorious for the second time this season and the second time at Brno. The championship is still a possibility.

Bradley Smith had looked like challenging Terol when he took pole position on Saturday, but he had grip problems on the early laps of the race that put paid to his chances of victory. He found his form as the track dried, but it was too late for the Briton to get onto the podium and he finished sixth.

6th Bradley Smith: "To tell the truth, it was a pity how things turned out today. I was totally convinced that I had everything in place to have a good race, but things started to go sour on the grid. It was hard to know what decision to make, but we went for wet tyres on the dry setting. I had big problems with grip at the start of the race and had to take risks on every corner, which lost me positions. When the track had dried completely ten laps before the end, I started to pick up the race pace. I am disappointed because we were on top all weekend and could have had a win, but the weather knocked us off balance. This isn't the result that I wanted from Brno, but at least I can say that I gave my all. We know what happened and now have to get back on form for Indianápolis."

A foggy morning at Brno saw the opening 125cc free practice delayed by half an hour this morning although the riders were able to take to the track on slick tyres despite the overnight thunderstorms. The sun re-appeared for an afternoon qualifying session that saw Bradley Smith and Nico Terol once again setting the pace, this time with Pol Espargaró for company, and Marc Márquez amongst the frontrunners despite his injured shoulder.

Bancaja Aspar riders Smith and Terol have enjoyed an entertaining head-to-head so far this weekend but it was the Oxfordshire teenager who came out on top, taking over provisional pole position after twelve minutes and gradually increasing his pace. It is the seventh pole position of Bradley's career and his first of the season. Like Smith, Terol set his best time on his fifteenth lap and it was enough for second place on the grid, half a second adrift of his team-mate, with hopes now high of a potential one-two in tomorrow's race.

1st Bradley Smith 2.07.146 (15 laps): "So far this weekend I have improved by 1.8 seconds compared to my pace here last year, which is incredible. I have to credit the team for this because we came to Brno with a very clear plan. We have a good chassis setting that makes the Aprilia stable at every point on the circuit and I can ride it how I want, which is an advantage. I think it's positive for the team that Nico has come back so strong - everything is pointing to us both being on the podium tomorrow and that would be brilliant for the Bancaja Aspar Team. Having said that a lot can happen in nineteen laps so even though we feel ready for it we cannot afford to be overconfident and we must stay focused. I'm pleased with the way the weekend is going and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Twenty-six days after contesting the German Grand Prix the 125cc riders were back on track at Brno this afternoon, raring to go after their summer break. The top four in the championship resumed their battle with Nico Terol, Bradley Smith, Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró the only riders to break the 2'09 barrier. Bancaja Aspar rider Terol made a remarkable return from injury, having missed the last race at Sachsenring, dominating the opening session.

Just a month and nine days after suffering a nasty back injury in Barcelona the Spaniard was back on board his Aprilia RSA today and looked as though he'd never been away. Nico moved to the top of the time sheets early in the session and progressively improved his lap times before a late surge saw him shave eighth tenths off his best effort and leave his team-mate Smith half a second adrift. The British teenager was on Nico's case for the majority of the session despite encountering a problem that he was able to resolve in the latter stages.

2nd Bradley Smith 2.08.517 (22 laps): "Today was a good day because I set a personal best lap time around this circuit, so for a first session after a three-week break I am satisfied with that. Obviously we have to improve - Nico has come back in great shape and looks really fast, so I'm very pleased for him, but our objective is to close the gap over the course of the weekend. To be honest we didn't try too many things today because our base setting is good but we have some changes to make and we know what direction we need to go in so I'm confident. We're looking for a little more rear grip but other than that I'm happy."

The 125cc riders will be back on track at Brno this weekend following a three-week break, as the season resumes with the Czech Republic Grand Prix. The second half of the campaign promises to increase in intensity as it progresses, with a host of back-to-back and intercontinental rounds to come. Four riders are in with a realistic chance of lifting the title, with Nico Terol, Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró all looking to halt an impressive winning run by current leader Marc Márquez over the final nine races.

Bancaja Aspar rider Terol returns to the fray after missing the last round in Germany as he recovered from a back injury sustained at the previous round in Barcelona. The Spaniard had led the championship up to that point and despite not scoring points in the last two rounds he remains just 39 adrift of Marquez. Nico hopes he can recover top form and fitness at Brno, where he took victory last season. His team-mate Bradley Smith has spent the last three weeks in intense training, completing the London triathlon last weekend, as he looks to reproduce the late season form that saw him take six consecutive podiums in the final six races of last year.

Bradley Smith: "I'm excited about returning for the second half of the season. A three-week break from racing is always a good chance to rest and reflect on the first eight races of the year but it will be fun to be back on track at Brno and to continue working as we have done up to now. It has never been one of my favourite circuits but the set-up we found in the first half of the championship is working really well and I think we can be fighting for a top result. My main objective is to close the gap Terol, Márquez and Espargaró have over me - the second half of the season tends to be better for me because there are a lot of tracks I like. There is a tough run of races between August and November so it's time for us to get back to action and tackle it as best we can."

No lie in before the next grand prix at Brno in the Czech Republic for Bradley. He will be up at dawn on Sunday morning to take on Formula One World Champion Jenson Button in the Challenger World London Triathlon.

It’s a 7.00 am start for both Bradley and Jenson at the London ExCel Centre for a long hard morning of swimming cycling and running and if that’s not enough Bradley will then race down to Brands Hatch to watch Dakota Mamola and Taylor Mackenzie ride for his KRP team in the 125 cc race at the British Superbike Championship round.

“I’m really looking forward to the London Triathlon again and especially taking on Jenson once again,” explained Bradley.” He just beat me last year and so I’m out for revenge and have been training hard. Just a couple of weeks ago I competed in the Alpe D’Huex in the French Alps, I’m in good shape and so I’m ready to have a real go. Hopefully I’ll have enough energy to race down to Brands to support Dakota and Taylor in the 125 cc race. After that it’s full on concentration for Brno.”

French Triathlon Pictures

Hi Everyone

We would just like to thank everyone who has sent in pictures taken at the Day of Champions this year

We have set up a dedicated photo Album for you all to see them

Bradley took part in the 'Ride In' on an Aprillia RSV4, kindly provided by 'Onyerbike' of Aylesbury, so a big thank you to them too

Thanks again for sending in your pictures, please keep them coming

Steve

Bradley at Day of Champions

In a World Championship that seems at times to be followed by rain, it was strange to see a distinct lack of wet races in the 2010 season. That was until today, when the first 125cc contest in wet conditions took place at 11.30 local time. It wasn't raining at the time in Sachsenring, but prior precipitation and humid conditions kept the asphalt slippery for the lower cylinder category. Tyre choice would be crucial, and the front row riders all opted for slicks. Behind them were a selection of riders with cut dry tyres and a few going for glory on full wets.

The race started with an advantage for the latter group, but by lap seven the order had been established. Márquez and Espargaró took off and fought amongst themselves in a duel that ended with Espargaró crashing and Márquez taking his latest victory. Second place went to Tomoyoshi Koyama and third to Sandro Cortese, making it the most varied podium of the year so far and keeping the title fight open.

The 125cc category begins its summer break now, as the class will not travel to the Laguna Seca round of the MotoGP World Championship.
 
The danger present in wet riding was evident today in Sachsenring, with thirteen riders having to retire over the course of the 125cc contest. Bancaja Aspar rider Bradley Smith was one of the eighteen who managed to stay upright and see the chequered flag, a fact that holds merit in itself. The Briton even managed to lead the race for a short time in the opening third, but a lack of grip in his rear tyre meant that he slipped down the order as the laps racked up. Sticking with the chasing group, Smith took the cautious route to pick up eleven points and a top five finish. The strategy of consistent point scoring will hold Smith in good stead come the end of the season, and this result keeps him in fourth place overall. Teammate and title challenger Nico Terol was not cleared to race with a back injury, but will return to action at Brno following the summer break.

5th Bradley Smith: "The start was pretty good, but after three laps I started to have some problems with the back. I didn't feel comfortable at all, meaning that a lot of riders passed me. When Márquez and Espargaró got away it was time to maintain the pace of the chasing pack, although even then I could see that something wasn't quite right. For the majority of the race I was fighting against a lack of grip in the rear end, with the left side of the tyre sliding out a lot. With the condition of the track I suppose that fifth is alright, but even with the eleven points it doesn't leave a great taste in my mouth. I can be fairly satisfied, as I pushed to the limit and took the best result that I could. I was losing grip every time I let off the throttle at the end of the race."

The 125cc riders had the opportunity to ride in both wet and dry conditions today after overnight thunderstorms left the Sachsenring circuit soaking for this morning's second free practice. However, the black clouds cleared for the afternoon and normal service resumed, with the usual suspects challenging for pole with the notable exception of the injured Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol, who has returned to Spain for treatment on his back.

In his absence Bradley Smith took the challenge to the dominant Spanish contingent in the field, pushing hard from the first minute to make up for a disappointing first day yesterday. An awkward crash in turn three with seventeen minutes remaining of the morning session did not prevent him from returning to the track and he showed his form with a strong lap at the end of qualifying, clocking the third fastest time. Bradley was denied a stronger pole challenge by excessive traffic on track but the British rider is hopeful a little more progress in tomorrow's warm-up session can ready him for a podium challenge in the race.

3rd Bradley Smith 1.27.378 (23 laps): "We improved a lot from the first session yesterday but we still need to take another step forward. I'm still struggling for rear grip - it's good for the first three or four laps on the new tyre but after that I'm struggling for feel. We need to find a solution that allows us to lean the bike over more. It's only a matter of making a small change because I am happy with the general performance of the Aprilia. We made sure of a front row start, which is important at this track because you can lose a lot of positions at the start. We have to be realistic and we know that if we want to be fighting for the win tomorrow we need to find something extra because we're around half a second off. Márquez was really strong today although I think if it wasn't for traffic I could have at least got a little closer to him. It's going to be a tough race and we just have to do whatever we can to stop him."

After a week's break following the Grand Prix of Catalunya the 125cc World championship riders were back on track at Sachsenring today as the German Grand Prix got underway. Home representatives Jonas Folger and Sandro Cortese were keen to stand out in front of the partisan local crowd but in the end it was the Spanish contingent that again dominated, despite the absence of injured Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol.

Bradley Smith flew the flag for the team and spent the afternoon experimenting with a variety of chassis set-up solutions designed at making his Aprilia more manageable around the tight and twisty Sachsenring circuit. Unfortunately the results were not what the Oxfordshire teenager had been hoping for and he was disappointed to finish the session eighth fastest with a best time of 1.29.119. Tomorrow he will look to improve by reverting to the base set-up that has served him so well in recent races

8th Bradley Smith 1.29.119 (24 laps): "We tried a new chassis set-up with the aim of improving the feeling of the bike today but we went in the wrong direction. We didn't make it handle any better or feel any better and we wasted a lot of time sat in the garage. It's a shame because we thought we were taking a step in the right direction but we made a mistake. Anyway, today was the day for testing things like that and looking on the bright side at least we can rule a few things out for tomorrow. We'll go back to our base setting and start again, it has been a frustrating day but not a disastrous one because we know the circuit well and we have enough data to recover from this slow start. Despite the heat the track conditions were good and there is quite a lot of grip. We are some way off the pace at the moment but we'll work hard tomorrow to make sure that's not the case for the race."

With three long and fast circuits behind them the 125cc World Championship riders this week tackle the shortest track on the calendar. The Sachsenring circuit, with its hard braking zones and quick direction changes, measures just 3,671km in length but every single metre is a huge challenge. The German Grand Prix marks the halfway point of the season for the Moto2 and 125cc categories before they take a summer break until action resumes at Brno in the middle of August.   

Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol is hopeful of being on track at Sachsenring this Friday. The Spaniard was at the Dexeus Institute in Barcelona yesterday, where he was examined by orthopaedic specialist Dr. Cáceres. Nico was given an injection in his back, which should help his recovery and alleviate the sharp pains he has been suffering, and he will now continue his intense recuperation for the next two days before travelling to Sachsenring, where he hopes to be given medical clearance to ride on Friday. The plan then will be for Nico to complete a few laps on his Aprilia before deciding whether or not he is in the right shape to compete over the rest of the weekend. His team-mate Bradley Smith, meanwhile, travels to Germany on the back of an outstanding performance in Barcelona, where he battled bravely to the final lap to secure a superb second place - his second podium of the season. The Oxfordshire teenager hopes to continue his good form this weekend as he looks to close the gap to the top of the championship.

Bradley Smith: "After such a good result in Barcelona I head to Germany feeling very motivated. Sachsenring is a circuit I like and it tends to suit me - in fact I have been on the front row there for the past three seasons. It has a lot of left-hand bends, unlike most circuits, which are mainly rights, so it will be a case of going out in the first session and adapting the setting of my Aprilia to what is a small and particular circuit. It is tight and twisty and it reminds me of a motocross track with so many up and downhill sections. It is a technical circuit and it is hard to set a quick lap time so people tend to be quite close - finding the right setting is crucial."

The 125cc Catalonian Grand Prix was almost a rerun of the previous round at Assen. Marc Márquez was the early leader and maintained his place for the remainder of the race. The Spaniard continued his run of wins in the lower cylinder category.

Bancaja Aspar riders Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were amongst a tough chasing pack, determined not to let their rival escape too far into the distance. However, their opening lap attempts only served to spur Márquez on, and the advantage was gradually increased with the passing of every lap. The groups were clear: Márquez at the front, Nico Terol, Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró in hot pursuit, and then the rest of the competitors. Race pace for the top four was at 1'50 for almost the entirety -some two seconds quicker than those at the back of the field. The difference between Márquez and the rest of the top four at the end of the race? Some four seconds. 125cc takes another step to resembling the premier class of MotoGP.

Bradley Smith had one of his best showings of the season to date as part of the fight for second place, riding with caution and craft behind his rivals for the majority of the race in order to time his move to perfection. Hanging off the tails of Terol and Espargaró, Smith waited for his chance and eventually decided on the last lap to outbrake the two. He won the place on the back straight, and was able to make the pass stick and block off the final attacks to come home as runner-up. It is Smith's second podium of the season, following a third place at Silverstone.

The contrast to Smith's result was that experienced by teammate Nico Terol, who was well placed for a podium finish before the final lap. For 21 laps he was in the running for second place, but the stadium section ('Estadi')of the final lap proved to be his undoing. Pushing hard to block a pass, his bike buckled under the strain and threw him into the gravel. Race over. The Bancaja Aspar rider was taken to the medical centre for initial checks and, on the recommendation of the doctors, was then transferred to the Catalonia General Hospital. The first diagnosis is of heavy bruising in the vertebrae and thorax, and an internal renal haemotoma. In the next few hours he will undergo a scan to further determine the extent of the injuries.

2nd Bradley Smith: "I decided to push hard from the start, but it was clear that this race was going to be tough -and that a small mistake would cost me as much as it did in Assen. Marquéz was clever though, and was able to slip away. Then I turned my attention to Terol and Espargaró, studying their lines in order to determine where to make a pass. Being in their slipstream served me well, because I could ride calmly and without taking too many risks. I was confident on every braking point, and kept telling myself that I couldn't let this podium place out of my grasp. This confidence helped me a lot on the second section, where I hadn't been so good during the weekend. I waited until the end to overtake, and then just focused on closing the gaps. It's a good result and I am happy with it. It is a shame about Nico's crash -I haven't had a chance to speak to him yet and hope that he is ok."

Intense heat was again the prominent factor at Montmeló today as the 125cc riders, who were virtually on lap record pace this morning, struggled to cope with 52ºC track temperatures in the afternoon's qualifying practice. Marc Márquez again took pole, as he did at Assen a week ago, although the difference this time is that there were four serious contenders, with just half a second covering the front row and another half a second back to row two.

Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were two of those contenders, the British rider back on track this afternoon after a crash in the morning at turn six. It did nothing to put the teenager out of his stride, however, and on the fifth lap of qualifying he moved to the top of the timesheets. He made just two pit-stops to change tyres and on the penultimate lap of eighteen he clocked his best lap to seal third on the grid. His team-mate Nico Terol made progress throughout the session but is still struggling in T4 and lost crucial tenths from his pole challenge. However, the Spaniard has the pace to run with the lead group tomorrow and fight for victory in his home race.

3rd Bradley Smith 1.51.019 (18 laps): "After the crash tomorrow I started to wonder if we had the right setting but we went out this afternoon and my feeling was great straight away. The team did a fast and productive job and that gave me the mental strength I needed. We are close to the fastest time and I think we have the pace to run with the lead group from the start - especially if we can make the most of the slipstreams. The most important thing will be to be focused at the start. If I can get away well, unlike Assen, I don't think it will be too difficult to keep in touch so I'll be pushing hard over the first five or six laps. It will be a tough race because of the heat and I'm sure the Spaniards will be doing everything they can to win here but so will I."

The third Grand Prix in as many weekends got underway in suffocating conditions today, with 36ºC ambient temperatures (46ºC on track) welcoming the 125cc riders to a boiling Barcelona. This may be a Spanish race but Bradley Smith dominated the early stages before being joined at the top of the timesheets by local favourites Nico Terol and Marc Márquez - the trio being the only riders on track to be able to clock 1'51 laps.

It marks a positive start to the weekend for the Bancaja Aspar pair, with Smith clocking a late flying lap to finish just two tenths off the fastest time after spending the session working on his set-up. Terol made more gradual progress but was also challenging at the top by the end of the session, clocking two fast laps to become the first rider to break the 1'52 barrier. He ended with the third fastest time overall, his best lap coming three from the end.

2nd Bradley Smith 1.51.465 (22 laps): "It is brilliant to start so well at this circuit, which in theory doesn't suit me as well as other places. Today I set my fastest ever lap on an Aprilia here at Montmeló. We haven't made a good start to this Grand Prix for the past two years so I'm really happy and I hope to continue like this tomorrow. We have made good progress throughout the session and on the last lap we found a way forward for the rest of the weekend, which is really satisfying. As far as the chassis is concerned we still have room for improvement, otherwise we wouldn't be so far off the lap record, although the engine has worked really well in this heat. There is no need to go making big changes because we already have a good base set-up and I'm sure we'll be in a position to challenge for pole tomorrow. It was hard work in that session because of the heat so we need to rest up now and be ready to go again tomorrow. The most positive thing about the day is that we're only two tenths off the top guy so we'll look to close that gap tomorrow."

There will be no rest for the MotoGP paddock until the end of this weekend as the first third of the season reaches an exhausting climax with the third race in as many weekends. The strong Spanish contingent in the 125cc class remained unfazed, however, as they head for home territory and the Grand Prix of Catalunya. Jerez already proved to be a veritable fiesta for the local favourites and Montmeló promises to be no different, with three of the top four riders in the championship all hailing from the Iberian peninsular. Nico Terol, Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró continue an absorbing battle to be the dominant force in the minor category as the season moves on from the fast and flowing Silverstone and Assen circuits to a more complex challenge in the shape of the Circuit de Catalunya.

Bancaja Aspar rider Terol returned to the podium last Saturday at Assen and, like Márquez and Espargaró, he has five podiums from six races so far. Nico's consistency saw him return to the top of the standings last weekend despite not winning since the opening race in Qatar, a statistic he will be aiming to put right this Sunday at the home of his two Catalan rivals. His team-mate Bradley Smith is currently the only antidote to the Spanish dominance but the Oxfordshire teenager lies in a somewhat distant fourth place after registering just one podium finish so far and he will be looking to close the gap this weekend.

Bradley Smith: "It is incredible how fast this part of the season is going. We have had no time to rest and we are on our way Montmeló, a circuit where I haven't performed well in the recent past. However I am confident that I can continue my good form from the past two races and have another positive weekend. So far the set-up of my Aprilia is working really well although we clearly have to keep working hard to get the absolute maximum out of it. We have to be on our game this weekend because Montmeló is a circuit where you always need to have a good response from the engine and a lot of acceleration to get you out of the corners, otherwise you can lose a lot of time. I am happy because in the last two races we have picked up some decent points but I want to keep improving and move up the championship. The Grand Prix of Catalunya is always hard because the Spaniards are so strong and I'm sure they'll be wanting to win their own individual battles."

The Dutch TT at Assen was always going to be a fast one, based on the blistering pace established in practice and qualifying by the 125cc riders. Almost every lap was undertaken in the 1'42s, meaning that any mistake would prove costly for the aspirants to victory. Marc Márquez was faultless from pole, and faced off against Nico Terol for the win. A backmarker got in the latter's way, and the Spaniard took his third win in a row to head yet another all-Spanish rostrum.

Bancaja Aspar's Nico Terol had a clear strategy for the Dutch TT, and carried it out to perfection by sticking on Márquez' tail and waiting for a chance to steal the victory on the final laps. The Spaniard was on course to do just that, clocking a new circuit record of 1'42.428 and keeping up with the winner of the last two races all the way. Unfortunately for Terol, the gameplan went out of the window six laps from the end, as a backmarker separated the two leading riders and gifted Márquez the victory. With a fifth podium of the year, Terol is one of the form riders of the year in 125cc.

Bradley Smith had set out a similar plan to his Bancaja Aspar teammate, but a chance encounter with another rider in an inconvenient location put paid to his chances of a win. Having to take evasive action at the end of the first lap, Smith lost ground on the front two and was riding solo -albeit at a winning pace- for the remainder of the race. He was a second and a half down on the podium at the end of the race.

4th Bradley Smith: "Today I got off to a good start, putting myself right into the mix early on. However, in the last chicane Vázquez hit the brakes mid-corner and split me up from the pack a bit. That was fairly decisive for my race. The pace was extremely high throughout, but I think that I still would have been able to stick with the podium group. I could see at the end of the race that I had a bit of damage to my Aprilia, but I was so focused that I don't know how it occurred. I think that I should be aiming for higher than fourth in races and, as I say, my pace is as fast as the winners. I need to pay more attention on the opening laps, because they are the ones in which everything is decided. We're off to Montmeló now, and I will have to be really on form to get one over on the Spaniards!"

The top four riders in the 125cc show no signs of letting anybody else into the chase for honours here in Holland, leaving the field trailing by a full second in this afternoon's qualifying practice. Bancaja Aspar pair Nico Terol and Bradley Smith dominated the session along with Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró, although Márquez picked up the pace in the final minutes to secure pole for a race that looks set to be just as close as Silverstone five days ago.

Nico set two fast laps with nineteen minutes remaining to sit in provisional pole whilst Smith, who made a late pit-stop to try and improve the rear grip of his Aprilia, ran into traffic on his return to the track but pulled a last gasp lap out of the bag to leap above his team-mate and secure second spot. Terol, who set the quickest top speed today of 220.1km/h, struggled in the final two sectors but his pace in the first half of the lap, which matched Marquez, was enough to secure his second consecutive front row start.

2nd Bradley Smith 1.42.775 (20 laps): "I am happy because as we saw at Silverstone everything is running smoothly again for us, the chassis of my Aprilia is giving me a lot of confidence and the engine is responding well. I was struggling for grip in a couple of corners in the last section but it's nothing to worry about. I had fun on the bike today and I think that's important going into the race. Márquez was a touch quicker than the rest of us today but I think the secret is in T4. I did a few laps with similar times to him through the first three sectors but he was taking half a second out in the fourth. We need to find something extra in the warm-up tomorrow without making major changes because I still think it's going to be a three or four-way fight for the win. Pole position got away from me again today but I'll be going for it next time out and I'm still happy with this result. I think we have the chance to get back on the podium tomorrow and I don't want to waste it."

The 125cc World Championship riders were back in action today, just four days after the chequered flag was waved on the British GP. There were no signs of tiredness, however, as they went on the attack from the first minute of the opening practice session at the Dutch TT, Spanish trio Nico Terol, Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró the only riders to head the timesheets although Bradley Smith was in close proximity.

Changes to the Ruskenhoek corner have allowed the minor category riders to shave two seconds off the previous lap record here, Bancaja Aspar rider Terol clocking the fastest time after a dominant performance that saw him set four laps in the 1'43s. The Spaniard initially struggled with the second and third sectors of the track but once he got to grips with them he immediately shaved half a second off his lap time. Meanwhile his team-mate Smith made gradual progress and despite being unable to break the 1'44 barrier the Brit is confident he can improve tomorrow and close the 0.829 second gap.

4th Bradley Smith 1.44.037 (25 laps): "The first day went pretty well - fourth place isn't a bad result but we are still eight tenths behind Nico so that means we have to work hard tomorrow if we want to challenge for pole. The chassis set-up with the Aprilia is good and I had a good feeling early on but sometimes at Assen there are a lot of small factors that impede your lap time - I guess that was the case for us today. We still have to work on rear grip, especially when the bike is leaned over - this is probably the area we can make the biggest improvement. I tried following a couple of other guys and could see that in certain corners I couldn't lean over as far as them. Anyway, fourth place is a good start. The change makes the track quicker and more similar to Silverstone, if anything."

After a quick pack-up operation on Sunday night at Silverstone the MotoGP paddock hit the road to Assen, where the sixth round of the 2010 season takes place this weekend. The Dutch TT, which always takes place on the final Saturday in June, is the second in a run of three races in just three weekends. The circuit itself has been slightly modified for this year at the Ruskenhoek corner, which has shaved a few metres off the overall length.

Once again there was no shortage of surprises in the minor category race at Silverstone, where an expected lead group of five turned into a two-way fight for victory. However, the four men at the top of the championship - made up of three Spaniards and a Brit, including Bancaja Aspar pair Nico Terol and Bradley Smith - are gradually distancing themselves from the rest of the 125cc pack. Terol has been on the podium at virtually every round so far whilst Smith stood up there for the first time this season on Sunday, a feeling they would both like to experience again this Saturday.

Bradley Smith: "After opening my podium account for the year at my home race on Sunday, I'm excited and confident about Assen. It's a place I've generally gone well at in the past and where I know I can be fast at. They have made a slight alteration to the track so I'm looking forward to getting there and see how we adapt to it. They have opened one of the corners up so I imagine it will be much faster. Other than that things are going well for us, we have finally found our way back to the podium and I plan to stay there. The chassis of my Aprilia is more stable every day and the engine is running perfectly now, as we saw at Silverstone, and we're gradually closing the gap to the front men. Hopefully we can be on the podium again this Saturday."

125cc action was the headline act of the British Grand Prix, and justified the billing with an enthralling contest. Marc Márquez won the race from pole position in a two-way tussle between himself and fellow Spaniard Pol Espargaró, a battle that ran all the way to the final lap. Behind the, pace was fierce and the candidates for a podium numerous, with the fastest lap of the day -2'13.781- quicker than that of Saturday's qualifying best by nearly a second. In the end Espargaró placed second and Bradley Smith third, with Márquez winning for the second consecutive contest.

The Bancaja Aspar team had an excellent race at Silverstone, opening up the three race back-to-back sequence with a podium for Bradley Smith at his home Grand Prix. After two near-misses, Smith was finally able to get a rostrum, courtesy of an outstanding ride onboard his Aprilia. The Briton was part of the chasing group pursuing the two leaders. With sixteen more points to his name, Smith is closing in again on the leadership of the championship.

Also in contention for the title this year is Nico Terol, who was only just pushed off the podium on Sunday afternoon. The Spaniard finished outside the rostrum places for the first time this year after having to take evasive action on the final lap, when a rider fell in front of him and forced him off line. Terol now looks for a return to the top three at the Dutch circuit of Assen.

3rd Bradley Smith: "I am delighted, because today I had a fantastic feeling with the bike for the entire race. I was strong early on and tried to squeeze everything out of the bike in order to get up front. I admit that on the last few laps I was riding beyond my limit, but that is the way that one has to work in order to get on the podium. The Spanish riders are in great form at the moment, and it is difficult to beat them. Getting a home podium is fantastic, and I have to thank the team for their work over the weekend because they and Aprilia got me here. I am very happy with a first rostrum of the year, especially here at home. After five races we are back to the same level as last year, but we can't drop our guard because we have two back-to-back races coming up and have to continue picking up points for the title fight."

Typical British weather was the order of the day for the 125cc riders at Silverstone, but at least it was consistent for the riders as they worked with more or less the same conditions as on Friday. Qualifying saw a last minute reshuffle in positions and a pole position for Marc Márquez, who recorded the first top spot at the new circuit with a 2'14.667 lap. The Spanish armada lost none of their potency on the journey to British shores, as Nico Terol , Efren Vázquez and Pol Espargaró all continued to look strong. Only one rider looks capable of defending British honour: Bancaja Aspar's Bradley Smith.

Bancaja Aspar riders were the men to beat on day two at Silverstone, adapting tremendously well to the newest track on the MotoGP calendar so far this year. Both Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were nearly like-for-like in terms of performance and results on Saturday, as the former led the way in morning practice and went all-out for a home pole position. Smith was on pole last year at Donington Park, but wasn't quite able to repeat the feat as he missed out by three tenths of a second. He and teammate Terol made a pair of stops in the Bancaja Aspar garage to adjust their machinery, and with ten minutes to go the soft tyres went on and both tried some flying laps. The riders recorded their quickest time on their respective penultimate laps, enough to put them second and fourth on the grid for what will be a tough Sunday race.

2nd Bradley Smith 2.14.966 (15 laps): "We were only missing that tiny bit extra; it would have been great to take pole for my home race. I can say that I gave my all in both sessions and that I'm very happy with how my Aprilia is working. It is stable despite the puddles on the track, and the engine is going excellently. We had a good pace today and were only three tenths off the pole position time. It's hard to say how things will go tomorrow, because the group can either be big or small -the important thing in any case will be to split it up. The top four are sure to be close together, so it is possible that if nobody breaks up the pack then more riders could join us in the fight. I will definitely try and start strong; I want to finish the weekend on the podium, move up in the classification and give the home fans something to cheer about."

The 125cc World Championship riders finally got their first taste of the new Silverstone circuit today as the British Grand Prix got underway with the first free practice session of the weekend, the Bancaja Aspar Team's two riders reporting favourably on a fast but bumpy track that offers good levels of grip. Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were both inside a top five separated by almost seventh tenths of a second, with a full second gap back to sixth place. The quickest time today was a 2'15.835 but that is expected to drop significantly tomorrow.      

Smith and Terol made a cautious but convincing start to life at Silverstone, adapting quickly to the layout and gradually improving their speed. The British teenager clocked a best time of 2'16.268 four laps from the end, just four tenths of a second off the quickest time of the day. It was almost a carbon copy session for the Spaniard, who also posted a late time to seal fifth on the overnight timesheets.

4th Bradley Smith 2.16.268 (21 laps): "I love the new circuit - it is incredibly fast even though it's a bit bumpy, which I struggled to get used to for the first couple of laps. I am surprised because even though the surface is quite dirty there is still plenty of grip. There was only a light wind and we were able to work more or less to plan. I spent the whole session on the same tyre and I have got a good idea about its performance ahead of the race. The only area we really need to improve is the front end, which is a little nervous over the bumps, to try and find a setting that allows us to attack the fast turns. I am happy with the job we did today though because I have adapted quickly to the track and my lap time is decent. It is surprising to see such a small gap between the top five riders over a circuit that measures almost six kilometres, so we'll have to keep working hard to improve tomorrow. The feeling with the bike is good at the moment, the engine is responding much better than at the last race and I am sure we'll make more progress tomorrow."

"I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE MY FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AT SILVERSTONE"

The British Grand Prix moves home this weekend, from the rolling hills of Donington to the relative flatlands of Silverstone. Bancaja Aspar Team's own British representative Bradley Smith is proud to be racing in front of his home fans and he hopes to give them plenty to shout about. Even though Silverstone is a new circuit for everybody the Oxfordshire teenager has a good idea of what to expect. After returning to his very best form at Mugello last time out, Bradley is hoping he can reward his army of home fans with his first win of the season.

Silverstone is new to the championship calendar - have you ever ridden it before?

Not on the new circuit - I have ridden at Silverstone twice before though, in 2004 and 2005. It will be like my first time here really and as much as I would like to have the advantage of knowing the track, I don't. The circuit is basically the layout they use for the F1, they have just changed one section, which has extended the overall length by a kilometre. I think the racing could be like it was at the old Assen, with groups of riders tucked in together making use of the slipstreams. It is a very fast track but it's not too technical so I suppose the biggest difference in the lap times will be made up by the slipstreams. It will be important to stay focused and not lose touch with the lead group.

What are the standout characteristics of the track as far as you're concerned?

It is incredibly fast and it is usually very windy, so in that respect you could compare it to Philip Island. I suppose the place to make up time will be in the slower corners like Becketts and Maggots, which lead onto the back straight, so there are some technical sections as well as fast ones.

Can you compare it to Donington Park?

I'm sure the atmosphere will be the same at both tracks and the British fans will be giving us their full backing like usual. Donington was different because you had people all the way up the bankings whereas Silverstone is practically flat. The facilities and the location of Silverstone make it a more practical Grand Prix. I think we'll see group races, at least in 125cc and Moto2, which will make for a better show.

What goes through your mind when you see that the British Grand Prix is coming up?

It is normally a busy week for me, with events and press conferences to attend. The most common question of the week is 'can you win?' I always believe I have the potential to win but until you get to the track and get on the bike you never know what your chances are. Racing at your home Grand Prix is an indescribable feeling. We only get one a year so I try to enjoy it to the maximum. Last year I qualified on pole position, which was fantastic, so this year the goal is to try and win. Hearing the national anthem at Silverstone would be a dream so I hope it comes true this Sunday.

Define your home Grand Prix in three words.

Fantastic, exciting and emotional.

Whatever time in the year the Grand Prix is held it always seems to rain in England.

Unfortunately rain and the British Grand Prix seem to go hand in hand so you're not wrong there. The problem is that even though it might be sunny one day there are no guarantees it will be the same tomorrow, but I think that forms part of the charm. Having said that I'll be praying for good weather this weekend!

What are you hoping for from your debut at Silverstone?

To put on a good show and be fighting for the win, to produce my best form and give the British fans something to shout about. By the end of the weekend I would like people to be saying 'Wow! Did you see how good Bradley was today?' It won't be easy but I'll be doing all I can.

Do you think your riding style will suit the circuit?

Yeah, of course. The circuit isn't as technical as I would like and I think the lap times will be close. There are a few sections where you can make up time but it's not like Mugello, for example, where if you lose your concentration at any point you can lose a lot of time. The good thing is it's a new track so everybody will be starting from the same point on Friday.

So which circuit is best suited to your style?

Anywhere where you need to ride smoothly - place where you have to pick the best line through each corner, like Mugello, Indianapolis or Philip Island. I think Silverstone will suit me more than some other riders so I hope it works to my advantage.

It was great to see you back to your best last time out. . .

Yeah it is much more fun, I'm smiling again! Everything is working out better and that allows me to concentrate more. We're competitive again and as a result I'm enjoying riding, which is fundamental in this game.

The MotoGP World Championship picks up pace this month with three races in three weekends, a period that could define the serious contenders for 125cc title honours. The triple-header kicks off with the British Grand Prix this weekend, followed by races at Assen and Catalunya, with the Silverstone circuit returning to the calendar after a 23-year absence. The circuit is safer and more modern but retains its most enduring feature: its speed. The 125cc riders will have to get the very best out of their machinery as they look to tackle the longest - and possibly the fastest - track they will visit this year.    

Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol takes his 125cc series lead to British shores with his focus set on maintaining his 100% podium record so far this season. The Spaniard knows that four podiums in a row could count for very little if he doesn't keep his form going over the next three weeks. His team-mate Bradley Smith, who ended the 2009 season with a run of six podiums, has yet to taste the champagne this season and knows there is no better place to do it than at a circuit located just a few miles from his hometown of Oxford.

Bradley Smith: "This is a very exciting week for me because my home Grand Prix is coming up. Silverstone is very close to my house and it means a lot to me to be racing in front of my family and friends. It is going to be a fantastic weekend and I'm sure I'll get a lot of support from the British fans. Silverstone is a new circuit for all of us - it looks like it will be fast so we need to work on the engine and make sure we have the top speed to compete. It is usually windy here too, so we will need to take that into account. I'm excited - I can't wait to get there now and get to know the track properly. Over the first four races we have gradually clawed our way to the front and now we have the material and the motivation to fight for the win on Sunday."

V0 two Silverstone duathlon 2 mile run 11 mile bike 2 mile run.10^th June 2010.

This duathlon is held at the home of British motor sport where the Formula 1 Grand Prix and now this year the Moto GP will be held

Bradley Smith competed at Silverstone on Thursday at the V02 max duathlon involving a 2 mile run 11 mile cycle on the new Silverstone circuit then another 2 mile run (2 laps of the Porsche test circuit)

Then cycle around the main Grand Prix track then repeat the 2 lap run again, prior to the AirAsia British Grand Prix on Sunday 20^th June.

Bradley recorded a fast 11:39 for the first 2 mile run then followed by 3 laps of the 3.667 mile circuit to record an impressive 32 minutes: 33 seconds for 11 miles (17.6km) for an average speed of  32.68 kmph & then another 2 mile run in 12:40 for a total time including transitions from run to bike then bike to run of 56 minutes & 57 seconds being chased all the way to the line by his personal trainer Mark Kleanthous just 9 seconds behind Bradley.

Bradley was 5^th overall from 81 finishers & only 4 minutes 27 seconds behind the multi sport specialist winner Andy Day

Duathlon Pictures

Mugello held another close 125cc race on Sunday morning, something of a tradition at the Italian track in the lower cylinder category. Marc Márquez was the winner, but the fight was not easy for the maiden grand prix winner. Nico Terol was the early leader, and Pol Espargaró also had his turn up front. Breaking up the all-Spanish battle was Bradleyu Smith, who also had his turn at the front, although eventually he was relegated to fourth. The last lap was typically spectacular, and for once slipstreams did not decide the definitive result. Another Spanish treble showed the country's dominance, even on Italian soil.

Nico Terol was up for the Italian GP right from the moment the lights went out, claiming another podium for the Bancaja Aspar Team. A storming start was followed by a fantastic opening lap at Mugello, and the Spaniard kept the lead until the eighth lap. Sensing that escape was futile, Terol changed strategy to try a last lap slipstream, but in the end he had to settle for his third consecutive second place.

Bradley Smith showed that he is approaching his imperious best, but the Britain was unable to get on the rostrum despite his involvement in the battle. The Briton claimed a new circuit record with a 1'58.009 on lap eight, but will be looking to make a bigger mark in two weeks time when the series heads to his homeland.

4th Bradley Smith: "My chassis configuration worked perfectly, but what was missing was some power in the engine. The mechanics are working on giving me a more powerful engine, but we still haven't been able to find it. It was a strange race; getting the circuit record shows that I was able to get a good pace going and defend against slipstreams, but that isn't what wins races. I am happy even though it wasn't possible to get the podium, because I am finding a bit of form again and I hope that this continues at Silverstone. I gave my all, so I should be content. We will have to sit down and talk about how we can improve. This is the Aspar Team, world champions for a reason, so I am calm about finding a solution to any problems."

The second day of riding at Mugello provided two exciting 125cc sessions, with times close to the circuit record. In the qualifying session it took just ten minutes for things to become the same as in the morning, with Smith, Terol, Espargaró and Márquez at the head of the field. Espargaró was the first to go round in under 1'58, and the top five rapidly followed suit. It was Sandro Cortese who arrived late to the party and took pole, however, racking up two hot laps on Terol's tail. The top six are separated by less than four tenths of a second, and it looks as if those in the elite group will be the ones fighting for victory come race time.

The Bancaja Aspar team have both riders on the front row and with chances of winning the Italian Grand Prix. Nico Terol and Bradley Smith had been amongst the top four in free practice, and confirmed their good form in qualifying. Their pace of 1'58s put them at the business end of the timesheet, although slight problems in the second sector cost them a shot at pole position. Terol is fighting to keep the lead of the world championship, whilst Smith is after a repeat of his 2009 Mugello win. Both will be ready for a close battle on Sunday morning.

3rd Bradley Smith 1.58.572 (17 laps): "It feels great to be on the front row for the first time this season. We haven't had an easy start to the season, and this result is giving me the morale boost that I needed. It has been a very good weekend so far, and I hope to go well in the race. We found a setting today to use in the race, as well as the right tyres. The most important thing was to get on the front row, and we did that. I am very excited about this situation, although I know that tomorrow will be a tough battle. Slipstreams are important here, so it would be good to break up the group early. I'm fully ready and hope to get my first podium of the year in order to pay back my team for their great work."

MotoGP World Championship action resumed under the Tuscan sunshine today as the first free practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix got underway at Mugello. With a host of local wildcards boosting the entry list, the 125cc class were first onto the track, with Nico Terol and Pol Espargaró engaged in a two-way Spanish battle for supremacy, although still some way off the pole record time of 1.58.134 set by Bradley Smith since last year.

Smith was on the trail of Bancaja Aspar team-mate Terol today, lapping third fastest after challenging at the top of the timesheets throughout the session. Like Nico, the Brit clocked his best time on his penultimate lap of 23 and looks set to at least challenge for a repeat of his pole feat from 12 months ago. The Spaniard, who clocked the highest top speed of the session (236,4 km/h), was only denied top spot by Espargaró on the final lap.

3rd Bradley Smith 2.00.023 (23 laps): "It is nice to have a whole session without any setbacks. Everything is going well so far, I just need to find a little more from within myself. This track is very technical and it takes a while to get your confidence and feeling for the bike together. We have tried a few things today and the majority were productive. We have a decent set-up but we could do with finding a bit more power, which we know how to do. It was a useful session but we want to step it up for qualifying and the race."

Having prevented an all-Spanish podium with his victory last year, British teenager Bradley Smith returns to Mugello this weekend looking for a repeat result to kick-start his 2010 title quest. The unique challenges of the Tuscan track, which include the second longest straight on the calendar (at 1.141km compared to the 1.326km of the new Circuito Motorland in Aragón), will provide another stern test for the minor category machines and riders.   

Smith and his Bancaja Aspar team-mate Nico Terol are ready for challenge, with the Spaniard looking to continue a consistent start to the season that sees him leading the championship standings after three rounds. Terol finished second here last year behind Smith, who in France returned to the kind of form that saw him take the runner-up spot in the 2009 championship. The Brit, who holds the pole record at Mugello with a time of 1'58.134, is looking for his first podium of 2010.

Bradley Smith: "I am looking forward to going to Mugello, a circuit where I know I can be fast. I always enjoy riding there and I have good memories from the last two seasons. I'm excited because at Le Mans we took a big step forward with my bike, I got my feeling for it back and we were competitive again. For me it is almost as if the season starts here because I'm back on the pace I showed last year. Mugello is a technical circuit with a lot of bumps and elevation changes, so you need a stable bike to cope with that. I always enjoy racing in Italy because it feels like a second home to me so hopefully this year it will be good to me again and I can be fighting for the podium."

The 125cc French Grand Prix kicked off at 11am today, and it was clear that this was not going to be a race fought in a tight pack. Nico Terol took off like a flash from pole position -his first in the class- and went all out to establish a gap between himself and his rivals. He looked to be having things his way, but Espargaó made sure that the race did not become a solo exhibition. Behind the front two lay a close-knit group, led by Bradley Smith.

The race was a speedy one, and times on the third lap were already around the sub-'44 mark. The quickest lap was a 1'43.787. The final result was a third consecutive all-Spanish podium, with Espargaró, Terol and Márquez the men on the rostrum.

Due to his spectacular practice pace, Nico Terol had earned pole position for Sunday's clash and seemed the likely winner of the French GP. Going for the win, he clocked the first fastest lap of the race, quickly opening up a gap. With two laps remaining he suffered a small wobble, which was enough to give the victory to Espargaró. Second for the second consecutive race is still a positive result for the Spaniard, who continues to lead the World Championship standings.

Bradley Smith also had a notable race, despite a bad start off the line. Fighting back to the podium positions, the Briton looked on course for a top three finish but, like his teammate, made a small error in the final stages of the race to place fifth. He waits eagerly for Mugello, where he won last year.

5th Bradley Smith: "I am pretty happy with the Aprilia's performance, as I had a great feeling of total control and was able to enjoy myself like a kid right up where we should be. It's a shame to have finished fifth after leading the trailing group for nearly the whole race. I was able to ride fast and comfortably, but the only difficulty was finding race pace. When I did, I was able to keep it up right until the end. Today I was able to see if I was able to be more aggressive when necessary and, although today it didn't work out, I was able to do that at least. It was a disappointing end to a great race, but I'm happy with how we performed after a difficult weekend."

Qualifying practice for the Grand Prix de France took place this afternoon with Nico Terol and Pol Espargaró continuing their battle for supremacy from the morning's final free practice, Bradley Smith and Marc Márquez also joining the fun in a four-way scrap for pole position. The intense competition saw the current pole record of 1'43.918, set in 2008, smashed by two tenths as Bancaja Aspar rider Terol sealed the front spot on the grid for the first time in his Grand Prix career.

The Spaniard has been electrifying through the first three sectors of the Le Mans circuit all weekend but was suffering in the fourth and final split, a situation he managed to put right on his final two flying laps. His Bancaja Aspar team-mate Smith bounced back strongly from the mechanical problems he endured yesterday to set the pace in the early stages, only to see his pole challenge end with a crash in turn seven as he made a late push. However, the Oxfordshire teenager escaped injury and will be fit to take his place on the second row for tomorrow's race.

5th Bradley Smith 1.44.172 (19 laps): "Overall I'm happy because this morning we lost a little time setting the bike up but we were competitive this afternoon and we're ready to race. It is nice to be back up there again, fighting for the top positions, and even though we missed out on the front row on the last lap I know I can run with the front guys tomorrow. We have a big challenge ahead because the guys ahead of us are setting some very fast times but I'll give it my all to go with them. It hasn't been an easy weekend with the incident yesterday and the crash today but compared with Qatar and Jerez things are much better. We are back where we belong, the Aprilia is working perfectly again and I feel strong and confident with my race pace."

After a bright start to the opening session Bradley Smith and Nico Terol suffer technical setbacks

The pleasant surprise of some warm summer sunshine has welcomed the teams and riders to Le Mans for the fourth round of the 125cc World Championship, with the riders able to make use of ideal conditions in their first hour of track time this afternoon. The pace was as hot as the temperatures, with lap records set in 2008 already under threat on the opening day.

It was a mixed first session for the Bancaja Aspar team, with Nico Terol and Bradley Smith both on the pace in the early stages before suffering mechanical problems. Terol, who sat atop the time sheets for the majority of the session, broke down in turn five with just five minutes remaining - enough time for his rivals to relegate him to fourth place. His team-mate Smith was even unluckier, completing just nine laps before an engine problem halted his progress.

18th Bradley Smith 1.47.687 (9 laps): "Unfortunately I had a problem with my engine today, it seized at the end of the back straight but luckily I managed to get the clutch in and avoided a crash. On the positive side it was an incident that could have had worse consequences and once we have fixed it we can get back into the swing tomorrow. It was a shame because I felt comfortable and I felt like I could make a challenge for the top positions. I also thought we were in a good position to get the bike sorted for the race but now my mechanics are having to work on fixing it so that we can make another push tomorrow."

Top class motorcycle racing returns to the sporting calendar this weekend as the MotoGP World Championship picks up the pace with the first of an intense run of races up to the summer break. The Loire region in France, home of the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, plays host to the a series that has always seen a great deal of Spanish success, including an historic hat-trick of victories across the three classes in 2003. Following a similar triple in their home round at Jerez three weeks ago, hopes are high amongst the Spanish Armada as they head north to Le Mans this weekend.

One of the men the Spanish fans are looking to maintain the hot streak is Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol, who has a win and a second place from the first two races and as such leads the championship with a seven-point advantage over his closest rival, Pol Espargaró. On the other side of the Bancaja garage his British team-mate Bradley Smith has made a discreet start to the championship and currently lies fourth, 24 points off the summit, but the youngster is keen to kick-start his campaign at a circuit where he stood on the podium in both 2007 and 2008.

Bradley Smith: "The last two weeks have been very important for me because we have had time to analyse why we haven't been as fast as we would like in the first two races. We pretty much have it under control now and myself and the team have worked out how we can get back to the same pace as last season. I am very much looking forward to getting to work at Le Mans, which is a circuit that suits my style and holds good memories, including two podiums and the fastest lap of the race last year. It is an English-style circuit - narrow with lots of corners - so we will have to work hard on the set-up of the bike to make sure we're ready. Despite the problems we've had in the first two rounds I am still fourth in the championship so now is the time to wake up and close the gap to the guys at the front."

Spain continued to dominate in the 125cc category on Sunday afternoon, with a second 'treble' of riders on the podium at Jerez. They left their rivals behind, but the top three in the lower cylinder class showed tremendous equality amongst each other in the opening race of the Spanish Grand Prix. Marc Márquez' crash took one Spaniard out of the running, but Terol, Espargaró, Vázquez and Rabat broke free early and pushed for the win. Nine crashes and numerous overtakes were the key moments of the race, which ended with Espargaró edging out Terol for the win.

For the second race in succession, Bancaja rider Nico Terol used a superior strategy. The Spaniard, starting from fifth on the grid, clocked the race's fastest lap and kept up with the leaders. He resisted the advances of Espargaró and Vázquez, and eventually came in second for a second consecutive podium and twenty more points to his name. He continues to lead the World Championship.

Bradley Smith managed to salvage fourth place from a difficult weekend, riding more or less on his own for the majority of the race. The Briton is still looking for full form in 2010, but he hopes to be ready to fight for victory at Le Mans later this month.

4th Bradley Smith: "In the end I finished fourth, which isn't a bad result but not totally satisfying. I think that we could have achieved more and that we should be at the same level as the leading group. We are improving a lot with every race, but I am still finding it too hard to keep up a fast pace. We have some way to go. In any case, I'm motivated after taking thirteen points and making steady improvement from session to session. We have to continue in this way, Le Mans is a track that I like a lot and I hope to keep improving the setting of my Aprilia. The team did a fabulous job this weekend to give me confidence, and with this foundation I am sure that we will be where we belong in France."

The intense heat of the Circuito de Jerez showed no sign of abating on day two in Southenr Spain, as the 125cc riders had to cope with the temperatures and a tough field in search of pole position in the lower cylinder class. Near-record times were set in the morning practice session, and the qualifying run in the afternoon saw an explosion of pace and competitiveness. Spanish riders were, of course, in the mix, with some crazy laps towards the end of the run. The key for tomorrow's race will be a race pace around the 1'47 mark, something achieved by only an elite seven riders on Saturday afternoon.

Two of those seven are Bancaja Aspar riders Nico Terol and Bradley Smith. The former has been on the pace from the start of the weekend, with five laps in the 1'47 range. The latter because he has finally started to regain the good feeling that won him the 2009 version of the Spanish Grand Prix. Terol will fight for the win in front of his home fans tomorrow morning, with the intention of making it two victories from as many races in 2010. Smith will try to keep up and will assess his own chances of glory after some adjustments in the pre-race warm up at the Circuito de Jerez.

7th Bradley Smith 1.47.753 (16 laps): "Improving by a second and a half in a day is positive, so I should be happy. Obviously I am not as close to the riders at the head of the field as I would like, but we have taken a big step forward and my feeling is good at the moment. We are still having some small niggles, because in the first and the final part of the track I am losing a little bit of time. We will study that this afternoon in order to sort it out in the warm up. After that, the race is the race, and I will try to get a good start and keep up with the riders at the front. I have a good setting with a full tank, and the most important thing will be to stay focused for the first half of the race, looking for what position to fight for on the final ten laps. It will be a tough race, because we have various hard rivals, but the secret will be preserving the tyres for the last attack."

Bright sunshine and warm conditions welcomed the 125cc riders onto the track as the Grand Prix of Spain got underway today and not even a faulty timing system, which meant nobody could see any lap times until halfway through the session, could stop the local domination of free practice. The 'Spanish Armada' were immediately on 2009 lap record pace today, setting the standard for what looks likely to be a highly competitive weekend.   

Bancaja Aspar riders Nico Terol and Bradley Smith both have plenty to play for, the Spaniard making his home debut for the team as the series leader and the Brit keen to confirm that the technical problems from Qatar are now behind him. That proved to be the case for Bradley although a lack of front grip compromised his performance slightly today as he lapped seventh fastest, with Nico fifth and both riders with work to do ahead of tomorrow's qualifying session.

7th Bradley Smith 1.49.270 (17 vueltas): "I'm really pleased because it seems like the engine problems from Qatar have disappeared. Now it's just a question of getting some laps in and improving my feeling with my Aprilia. We have tried a few things today to improve the setting and ran into some problems with the front end. I know I can go much faster at this track so I'm not satisfied with my own performance today. The problem with Jerez id that sometimes a lot of small things can come together to prevent you from setting a good lap time. We know what changes we need to make so we'll have make sure we get them done tonight."

The boxes containing the bikes and materials returned unopened to Europe from Japan this week as the eruption of an Icelandic volcano gave the teams and riders and extra week off from World Championship duty. The second round of the season therefore takes place this weekend at Jerez, known as the 'Cathedral' of Spanish motorcycling. Indeed, the Spanish armada that dominated the opening race of 2010 in Qatar will be difficult to penetrate on home soil.

 Bancaja riders Nico Terol and Bradley Smith travel to Jerez with the podium clearly in focus and their suitcases packed with motivation. The Spaniard, leader of the 125cc standings for the first time in his career, clearly needs no further encouragement whilst the Brit is returning to the scene of his career first victory. Both riders were on the pace here in preseason testing and have every chance of challenging for the top position on the podium this weekend.

Bradley Smith: "Last week was crazy with the postponement of the Grand Prix of Japan. Jerez is a circuit that brings back great memories for me, especially my first Grand Prix victory a year ago. I'm excited and looking forward to getting out onto the track and trying to repeat that result on Sunday. The important thing will be to identify the problems we had in Qatar on Friday, fix them and start working towards the race. It is important for us to have a bike that is 100% effective if we're going to be fighting in the lead pack. Preseason testing at Jerez was very productive so we know we have a base setting that works there. Jerez proved to be my 'lucky' circuit last year so hopefully this year it can be the springboard to another good season."

The waiting finally came to an end at 8pm Sunday evening in Qatar, as the 125cc World Championship riders lined up on the grid for the first race of 2010. Always a tough category, the field was bunched for almost the entirety of the contest, as everybody looked for a dream start to the year. Seven riders emerged as favourites for the win after breaking free in a pack, with Marc Márquez leading the way. The overtaking behind the Spaniard was relentless in the battle for the podium, but the fight for victory with seven laps to go saw the race become even more intense. Bancaja rider Nico Terol broke through at just the right time to overtake his opponents, becoming the victor of the Grand Prix of Qatar. He headed an all-Spanish podium.

Terol combined brains with brawn in an impeccable ride onboard his Aprilia, avoiding trouble in the early going after making a perfect start. Opting for a risk-free strategy in the early going, he studied the riders in front of him and decided to make a late push for the win. With four laps remaining he put down three consecutive fastest laps of the race, becoming the only racer to break the 2'07 mark. A 2'06.674 was his quickest effort. 25 points and a victory to his name after just a single race shows that Terol is a title candidate in 2010, and sends out a message to his rivals.

One such rival, teammate Bradley Smith, didn't have the start to 2010 that he was expecting. Having struggled all weekend, not even a good start was enough to put the Briton within reach of the lead group, and he was soon riding on his lonesome. He kept his pace and took eighth position, something to build on in the upcoming rounds.

8th Bradley Smith: "It is disappointing to be riding at the limit and only have the chance of eighth place. That's the situation we found ourselves in though this weekend. The team worked incredibly hard over the weekend to try and best prepare my bike for the race, despite some problems, but it just wasn't competitive enough to be up there with the lead group. We have to be content, because it was a tricky weekend and we've still got eight points from the race. Eighth isn't a position I'd like to be in too often, but it's the first race of the year and we have to continue working in an optimistic fashion in order to be as fast as we were last year."

After the excitement of seeing the bikes on track for the first time yesterday the tension was raised a notch tonight as qualifying took place for the Grand Prix of Qatar. A second free practice session in the early evening gave the 125cc riders chance to refine the set-up of their machines ahead of a grid shootout that once again saw an all-Spanish battle for supremacy. Terol, Márquez, Espargaró and Vazquez were all in the hunt, with the youngest of them - Marquez - winning out.

Bancaja rider Terol set the pace in free practice, when he barely made any changes to his set-up from yesterday other than engine modifications to deal with the extra humidity, before lapping third fastest in qualifying. Bradley Smith, meanwhile, continued to struggle with the engine problems that dogged him yesterday but showed no lack of skill to ride around the difficulties to finish ninth.

9th Bradley Smith 2.08.835 (15 laps): "The most positive thing from practice was that the bike improved a lot compared to the previous two sessions. We have found the way to go but we're still some way off where we need to be and we need something extra. My guys are working incredibly hard - last night they were here until 3am and they were the first back this morning so all I can do is thank them. It is going to be a tough race tomorrow but I have good corner speed, even though we're losing out down the straights because of the engine, so hopefully we can get a good start and stay with the front group. The most important thing though is to get the season started with some good points."

The 2010 season officially opened at 8pm this evening as the 125cc World Championship riders took to the Losail circuit for the first free practice of the campaign. The aperitif to a feast of action saw the riders make progress on their test pace, although they are still some way off circuit record lap times here, with the Spanish armada firmly in control.

 Bancaja Aspar's two riders started out positively but had enjoyed contrasting fortunes by the end of the hour, Nico Terol having dominated the opening stages before struggling with some rear grip issues in the fourth sector of the track and Bradley Smith held up by an engine problem after fifteen minutes that limited his progress. Nico also suffered engine problems late in the session, just as he fitted a fresh tyre, and the Spaniard was forced to stay in his pit for the final ten minutes. However, with his British team-mate reporting positive feedback from his chassis, both riders are confident of scaling positions tomorrow.

12th Bradley Smith 2.09.945 (16 laps): "I'm exhausted, the first session is always so exciting. To be honest my mechanics had more work to do today than we would have liked but we had some issues with my carburettor. We don't know what caused it but we do know what we have to do to fix it, which is more important. As far as chassis is concerned the Aprilia is working perfectly - I feel like I can really lean it over everywhere. So I'm not stressed about it, I know that tomorrow once the bike is running faster we can get in the positions where we belong. I'm not far off as it is and I was able to follow a few guys through most of the corners anyway."

A long winter has finally come to its end for the 125cc World Championship contenders as the countdown to the 2010 season begins this week. For the third year in succession the campaign starts under floodlights in Qatar and with reigning World Champion Julián Simón having stepped up to the Moto2 class the minor category throne is very much vacant. A lot of work has taken place over eleven days of preseason testing, during which the leading contenders have established their credentials. With just days to go before they line up on the grid, it seems four Spaniards and an Englishman will do battle for the major honours in the opening race.

Bancaja pair Nico Terol and Bradley Smith are on that small list of pre-race favourites, with the Spaniard ready to contest his sixth season at this level and the Brit his fifth. Smith, from Oxfordshire, finished one place ahead of his new team-mate in 2009 as he took the runner-up position behind Simón and he has both the experience and the preseason form to suggest that he could go one better in 2010. However, both riders know that anything can happen in 125 and they will be looking to get off on the right foot at Losail, a circuit they both love.

Bradley Smith: "I really can't wait to get out to Qatar, to feel the pressure of a Grand Prix again and to be in the middle of the real action. Obviously you have less time to work at a GP than you do during a test so we will have to be very focused. Preseason has gone really well so I am calm and confident that we can do a good job. I think I have the necessary experience to handle whatever is thrown at us. As I said testing went well and even though you could always do with a bit extra I am keen to begin the fight for points. The first race is always special because it is when you really get to see what everybody has got and how well you have done your job over the winter. I love Losail as a circuit - I just hope that we don't have a repeat of last year's weather and that I can be fighting for the win."

On Friday, April 9th BBC Radio 1 will have a filmed Bradley Smith Quiz, on their website all day.

Bradley will also be interviewed on their 'Newsbeat' programme at 17.45

Why not check out the website and tune in on Friday to hear Bradley.

Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were obliged to finish before time due to the rain, but they left Jerez being confident of their possibilities for the first race in Qatar.

The last test of the preseason 2010 was brought to a close this afternoon at the Jerez Circuit and with it the pre-season. All the tests are now finished. Next time that the riders get in to action will be at the first Grand Prix of the year. With a cloudy sky, the temperatures had fallen and light rain had put in an appearance, intermittently after 14.00 hr.

Despite everything, the riders in the 125cc class continued working, although with a little less intensity, because the previous two days had been intense. At the end of the combined session of Moto2 and 125cc the rain got worse and some riders finished the preseason before time.

This was the case with the Bancaja Riders Nico Terol and Bradley Smith. Both of them started the session at 11.30 and rode constantly until 15.00hrs. Bradley and Nico were trying to take a rest and go out in the free session of 125cc, at the end of the day, ready to go for good times, but they came up against the rain.

The Bancaja riders had already ridden in wet at their last visit to Jerez, so they preferred not to take any risks and arrive in Qatar with their best potential. Bradley had some troubles with his engine power, but that has  not stopped him to saying goodbye to the last test of the pre-season with positive feelings.

Bradley Smith 1.48.462 :" I have begun to feel more comfortable on the Aprilia. We went back to some suspension settings which worked very well in the Grand Prix of Jerez in 2009. And thanks to that I got my confidence for riding back. The only problem that we had today was a lack of power from the engine. The top speed was not enough. But it is an isolated problem that we can control. Regarding the preseason, I think that we are ready. I have recovered completely my riding feeling after these winter tests, and I think that we have progressed in the right way. At his point, we only have to rest and wait for the beginning of the season in Qatar."

At a party to celebrate 30 years of involvement in the world of motorcycling, Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ also officially presented his project of having teams in all three categories of the World Championship in 2010.

The Prince Felipe Museum of Science in Valencia hosted a party last night to celebrate the 30-year history of the participation of Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ in the world of motorcycling.

In addition to the celebration of the past, the future was also marked with the official presentation of the Aspar Team for the 2010 season. This year the Team Manager will realise a dream by having representatives in all three categories of the World Championship.

Aspar brought together the various figures who have contributed to his long and impressive history in the sport, including friends and former on-track competitors such as Ángel Nieto and Álex Crivillé, as well as riders who have competed for his teams throughout the years, both past and present. Juan Bautista Borja, Jerónimo Vidal, Arnaud Vincent, the Nieto brothers, Ángel Rodríguez, Héctor Barberá, Héctor Faubel, Sergio Gadea, Julián Miralles Jr, Mateo Túnez, Álex de Angelis, Álvaro Bautista, Bradley Smith, Julián Simón, Mike Di Meglio and Nico Terol were all in attendance, as were sponsors, journalists and personal friends of Aspar.

A thrilled Aspar, surrounded by his riders, said: “To see this team so vast, so competitive, so in tune with one another, is almost the tip of the iceberg of these 30 years – three decades in which we have grown, without stopping.”

In reference to the new season, which starts in just over two weeks, Aspar stated: “In 125cc I hope we’ll retain the title and in Moto2, despite it being a new category, I ‘d like to be fighting for the title in the same manner. In MotoGP, if only! We can be amongst the top ten at the end of the year. In any case we’re very excited about this huge project we’re undertaking.”

Bradley Smith: "This is a very special event and also quite revealing. It has made me realise that I am getting older because this is going to be my fifth season in the World Championship already. As part of a team like this I feel a moral obligation to achieve my objectives and to be challenging at the very top - for Jorge and for Bancaja, who do an incredible job to make sure that we have the best possible material. Last year I was in touching distance of the title but I am back stronger than ever and I will be trying everything I can to do it this time. Hopefully I can be fighting for it with Nico."

It has been an unfortunate preseason for the 125cc and Moto2 teams. The third and last day of testing at Jerez was again interrupted by rain. Of the eight days of testing at Cataluña, Valencia and Jerez, six have suffered abnormal conditions. The arrival of the rain this afternoon was at least useful for many riders to test their wet settings. The preseason is nearly finished with only one test to go at the end of this month, again in Jerez. Hopefully the sun will shine and the teams can work against the clock to be ready for the beginning of the Championship two weeks later.

Despite the rain the Bancaja riders left Jerez with good feelings after these three days  thanks to  the work completed today. Both riders used their time on the track differently today. Bradley was out from 12.00h to 14.30h, taking advantage of the few moments when the asphalt was partially dry. The British rider pushed his Aprilia to prove its engine response, and at the end of the session he was very satisfied with the power. The British rider and the Spaniard concluded their respective tests satisfactorily and they are both looking forward to arriving at the last test of the preseason, in two weeks.

Bradley Smith 1.57.386 (30 laps): "Under these difficult circumstances, today has not really been a satisfactory day of work because of the wet track. The most important thing is that we have done several tests to check the motor power and we are very satisfied. Regarding settings, we have not tested too many things but the few that we have tried were ok. So the balance of these three days is positive. In addition, we have set the path to follow for the next test in two weeks. The weather is restricting us a lot but we can’t do anything more. We will have to wait until the last test of the winter, when I hope we can leave ready for Qatar."

The best word to describe this second day in Jerez is "intermittent". Less heavy than yesterday, the rain fell intermittently throughout whole day, restricting again the amount of work the teams could do. The track started to dry at about 13.00 h,  due to the heavy overnight rain, but ten minutes later it began to spit again, making the riders come back to the boxes. The majority of the riders took advantage of the break to have lunch, returning to the action a little bit after 14.00h. The free 125cc session was run mainly in the dry, but the changeable weather made the track close again five minutes before time was up. So the work was limited and in general the riders did just a few laps.

Both Nico and Bradley started this second day half an hour later than the 12.00 h official start. The Spaniard tested his rear tyres and Bradley focused on finding the best feeling on the front end of his Aprilia. Bradley came to the conclusion that he had made a mistake choosing his work direction at the end of the session. Both of them did their best time in the morning combined session, but they were affected by the lack of time trying to test their respective changes. Nico and Bradley finished this second day in forth and five respectively but they are expecting to get a lot out of the last day and improve their times.

Bradley Smith 1.49.350 (51 laps): "Lamentably, with this weather is very difficult to find new solutions. Today we have had several problems with the front end of the bike. I do not know exactly why, but I had difficulties in maintaining my speed in the corners and I felt obliged to brake too much on my Aprilia. Now that the session has finished, we are going to analyze the work that we have been developing today and try to find the reason why we were not able to go faster. The weather forecast for tomorrow is for a sunny day so I am expecting to work intensely to find a solution and to ride faster".

Only two days after the finish of the test in Valencia, the 125cc and Moto2 riders have started testing again at the Jerez Circuit. The rain so far has been a constant of the preseason tests. Before arriving, the weather forecasts predicted ruthlessly rain and, basically this was what the riders found, in the early morning the riders had doubts about the possibility of any testing on this first day. The track had been flooded by the constant heavy rain since yesterday night and they had to wait until the early afternoon before there was any chance of starting.

 The Bancaja riders, Bradley Smith and Nico Terol, divided up their work in the same way. Both of them began at 14.40 h, just riding in the first test planned.  Both Bradley and Nico were the fastest in the combined session (125cc & Moto2) which finished at 15.50 h. Both of them did 20 laps and preferred to stop at that point and ride no more this afternoon. The British and the Spaniard used this first day of the Jerez test to reacquaint themselves with the track, hoping  tomorrow for the rain to die down. 

Bradley Smith 1.59.029 (20 laps): "We thought that the track was going to be flooded, but finally the rain stopped around the 13.00 h and we could ride a little. We did 20 laps, but the track was not in total wet conditions. Tomorrow, if possible, I would like to ride on a wet track to test some changes in case of rain in any race. This morning we have been the fastest and the sensations were very good so I am very happy. With only 20 laps you can not discover too many things but at least it was useful and we know that we are going in the right direction"

The road to Qatar is short and the risks were very high today, so Nico Terol and Bradley Smith have avoided riding on this final day, due to the bad track conditions caused by rain.

Yesterday progressed normally, but after five in the afternoon the wind increased and it started to rain and has continued to until early afternoon today. Because of this the last day of the first official test of the year has been affected by poor track conditions. This afternoon, it stopped raining and some riders began to ride. But not Bradley Smith and Nico Terol, who preferred to work in the pit box. Both Bancaja riders, coming off an excellent job on the first two days, have preferred to end the test early, to avoid any risk. They have an appointment at Jerez next weekend to continue working and continue with their excellent preseason testing.

Bradley Smith: "Today was a disappointing day because we could not ride. Towards the end of the day the weather conditions improved, but it was not worth taking any risks, there are still many days of testing before the season starts. In the two preceding days we have worked very well, obtaining valuable information for the following tests so I leave Valencia satisfied. I look forward to landing in Jerez and testing all the changes we have made, to see whether the improvements found in Valencia can work at another circuit. Hopefully we will have good weather next weekend to test with, but we will ride in wet to get a rhythm for the races."

For the second day, the lower and middle classes have ridden together at Cheste, and today it was the 125’s that finished on the track at five o'clock. Weather conditions have worsened slightly, but not for the eighth-litre candidates who didn’t stop filing tenths of the clock. The riders are more determined each day, but it is too early to speculate who is running the best, at present. Whatever the case, and if weather conditions allow them tomorrow and next weekend, we will begin to discover the fruits of all the hard work carried by all the teams.

Two riders who are working diligently at this first official test of the year are the Bancaja Aspar pairing of Nico Terol and Bradley Smith. Both of them have completed over sixty laps on the second day,  trying  different solutions of all kinds. Both testing chassis, engine and tyres, neither Bradley nor Nico have given up until they have found the keys that enable them to ride on the limit. Although some of the tests have been unsuccessful, both riders say that they feel happy and moving in the right direction. Proof of this is that both, Bradley and Nico have reduced by more than one second their times from the first day.  

Bradley Smith 1.40.975 (65 laps): "In the closing laps of today we have achieved a good time. Finally we found an optimal set up, and thanks to that I rode very comfortably, and I was ready to push a hundred percent . This afternoon the weather conditions have got a little bit worse and the track temperature has dropped, which has made it more difficult to continue with the good feelings. Nevertheless, I am very happy with the work done on the second day. Today we worked mainly with a new configuration of chassis, which affects only the rear. It seems that with it, the Aprilia has much more stability, and so it gets out of the corners faster. Tomorrow we will continue working on the configuration and hope that the weather conditions will improve too. I'm very happy because after the first few days of practice, I have recovered the sensations of 2009, and I am beginning to be prepared for the season to come. "

The previous test, two weeks ago at Montmeló served has a ‘starter’ for the 2010 season , but the substance of this pre-season has begun today at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste, in the first official tests of the year. This test brings together the majority of the contenders for the 125 category and a first look at who will be the favourites to be the Julian Simon successor.  The 125cc Riders are expected to have a busy week of testing because after these three days in Valencia, they will go directly to Jerez for three further days next weekend. Despite the wind, the sun was shining in Cheste and the teams could work conscientiously during the whole day.

Bancaja riders, Nico Terol and Bradley Smith, finished a full day of work which began at eleven o'clock in the morning. Both riders went with different directions of work but both of them finished their first day of testing in Cheste with very positive feelings. Bradley focused his efforts on trying to exploit the engine of his Aprilia to achieve a little bit more of power. Both Nico and Bradley were regularly setting best times and finished third and forth in the session respectively.

Bradley Smith 1.42.032 (68 laps):"I think that today has been a very successful day of work despite the wind. To be honest I am not worried at all about riding very fast, but to find good settings which help us to improve the bike. Today we have focused our efforts on achieving more power from the engine, testing several different settings. And certainly we have found some small improvements. I am very happy. Our plan for the three days is to work conscientiously on the bike for the first two days, if the weather holds It will be Wednesday when we will look to push hard and try to get good times. At this moment our efforts are focused on improving the bike as much as possible."

Nico Terol and Bradley Smith waited for the condition of the track to improve, concentrating most of their work in the afternoon.

The rain fell last night, cold and gray skies have kept the track wet long into this last day of the first test of the year. Because of the number of crashes suffered yesterday by several of the riders on the track, caution has been imposed. Most focused their efforts to the afternoon when the track had better conditions. It is too early to take unnecessary risks, and there are still nine more days of testing in Cheste and Jerez to come.

The Bancaja riders were less early risers than yesterday and did not take to the track until shortly before noon. The track conditions were still not ideal because of the wet and cold, so both Bradley and Nico used their time on the asphalt for testing tyres and set-up for the  wet and making small adjustments to their settings.  Later in the afternoon, with the track finally dry they mounted slicks, but the cold conditions continued so they did not want to take too many risks, expecting the next test in early March in Cheste to be more productive.

Bradley Smith 1.53.5 (48 laps): "This second day was very good, not so much for the times but for the attitude of working. I tried to do the most laps possible this morning on the wet track, and this afternoon on the almost dry track. It is clear that after so such a long time it is difficult to return to work, but today I'm really happy with all the small steps forward we have taken. Although the track conditions were still not great, I managed to ride a little faster and more consistently than yesterday. I also felt much more comfortable on the Aprilia. I think after today we found a good starting point for when we return here in the grand prix, and that was one of my goals. It is reason enough to be satisfied."

Although the cold winter is still making people talk in Spain, the moto2 and 125 category riders have met up again yesterday at the Cataluña Circuit to begin the 2010 season. Yesterday was a difficult day, in these three days of testing, because it was raining and cold and most of the teams chose to work inside their pit boxes. Today, the weather has remained cold, with 15º the highest temperature, but the riders could go out to the track thanks to the shining sun. The earliest riders began around 10am despite the track being open from 9 to 13 and from 14 to 17 h. The day was filled with crashes, due to the icy track.

Fortunately, the Bancaja riders ignored the crashes and managed to ride throughout the whole day without any incidents. Both of them used the day to get the stiffness out of their muscles and reacquaint themselves with their grand prix bikes. Nico and Bradley worked on a very similar work schedule, consisting of testing only chassis configurations, dividing the day into short periods. The objective was nothing more than to gain confidence on their Aprilia RSA. The rider from Alcoy was the fastest of thee two, setting his best time – 1.53.18- in the lap 37 of 49. On the other side, Bradley rode consistently in the low 54’s and finished the day with a best time of 1.53.90, achieved nearly at the end of the test on lap 48 of 52.

Bradley Smith 1.53.90 (52 laps): “Today was a very positive day in which I enjoyed riding again. I was very pleased to meet my bike again , relive the sensations and the rise of adrenaline. Normally, my first day is complex. It took me a lot of time to get a good pace after so much time being quite, and this is not one of my favourite tracks. But it was fantastic to do so many laps on this first day. I think that the work schedule was correct and we improved a lot of aspects of the bike. It is clear that there is a lot of work to do but the most important is that we didn’t make any mistakes. We focused on enjoying the reunion and to carry out a progressive work schedule”

British MotoGP stars Bradley Smith and Scott Redding start their respective 2010 Championship campaigns with their first tests of the season at Barcelona in Spain this week.

Gloucester- based teenager Redding will ride his Marc VDS Moto2 machine for the first time on Wednesday round the 2.937 miles Circuit de Catalunya. Smith, who finished runner-up in last year’s 125 cc World Championship, will start his Championship campaign on Thursday riding the Bancaja Aprilia in a two day test.

It’s an important test for Redding, the youngest rider ever to win a grand prix, as he joins the new Moto2 600cc four-stroke class that replaces the 250 cc class. His campaign started well when he passed his driving test last week.

“I think I will really suit the Moto2 machine because I was getting too tall for the 125’s,” explained the 2008 125 cc British Grand Prix winner. ”I can’t wait to get started with the new team and on the new bike. I’ve worked really hard on my fitness in the winter and I just want to get going after all the uncertainty about who I would be riding for at the end of last season. I’m feeling very positive about 2010 after such a tough season last year.”

Nineteen year old Smith returns from training in the Californian sunshine to join his new team-mate Nico Terol in the two day test. Last year the Oxfordshire teenager won two grands prix and secured nine podium finishes on route to second place in the 125 cc World Championship.

 “Basically Barcelona will be a chance to get riding again, it’s going to be tough to get back in the swing of riding and so I will take it step by step,” said Smith, who will return to California to continue his training after the test. “I’m sure we will have some parts to test and it will be nice to start up the Aprilia and get back on track after three months.”

Britain’s third MotoGP rider Kent teenager Danny Webb will start his 125 cc Championship campaign with his new Spanish – based WRB team at the Valencia test in Spain on March 1.

The first grand prix of the season is under the Qatar floodlights on April 11.

Dom Rushton: Obviously all of us here in the UK were immensely proud at how well you did last season, but were you happy with what you achieved?

Bradley Smith: Yes, and no. As a racer you always want to win, but I suppose what you’ve got to be happy with is your performance. There were a lot of races where I was very happy with my performance, regardless of whether I won or lost. In the end I decided that I lost to the better man, and those bad results can only make me stronger in the future. Overall I am happy with what I achieved overall, but not 100%.

DR: What were the best and worst moments of last season for you?

BS: Definitely the best moment was winning at Jerez at the first European race of the season - it was a great victory. Also it was great to win a silver medal at the FIM awards after the Valencia race, as I don’t get to do those kind of events that often. The worst moment was crashing out at Donington just because I knew by then that my chance of winning the championship was pretty much gone unless something amazing would happen and radically improve my chances. I suppose though that you could say the crash at Donington improved my season as after that I only finished inside the top four for the rest of the year, and I also got six consecutive podiums. Overall there were positives and negatives, but flying into the gravel at Donington was a really bad time.

DR: It must been a tough choice not to move into Moto 2 for the coming season. What was behind this decision?

BS: It was probably a little bit of not knowing enough about Moto 2, as it’s a new class, and also being unsure about what projects I could get involved in. I was also pretty tentative about rushing into something which was quite new at the time, but the major factor was not having a bike available. Looking at the way I was riding in the 125’s at the time, I was hoping that there would have been some competitive teams looking for me who were able to offer a deal which I was happy with, but we tried and searched for options which ultimately just weren’t there back in October. I wanted to get into a project that was sorted but a lot of the teams were still not quite there at the time - it was a bit half and half to be honest. Probably the biggest factor was that I wanted to be World Champion in 125’s - this will be my last season and my last shot at getting the World Championship, so I really want to make it count.

DR: If you eventually do move up to Moto 2, do you think riding the new bike would be a big challenge for you?

BS: Self belief and self confidence tell me that I can get on any bike an be competitive, but whether I can jump on any bike and start winning races like I hope to in the 125’s remains to be seen. If I could get on a new bike and be finishing in the top six regularly and be competitive then I’d be pretty confident to ride that bike for as long as needed. But yeah, it would still be a challenge.

DR: How do you get on with the other Brits competing like Scott Redding?

BS: Having other British riders in the paddock is always nice. You have to stick together and it’s good to have someone to talk to. We’re also on the same flights a lot of the time so we’re sociable in the that sense, but when I’m there at the race meeting I’m there to work, not to mess around or to hold anybody's hand. At the end of the day, I’m there to do business and the only people I really speak to are my team, some PR guys and sometimes a few interviewers. But the other lads are great, and they’ve got the potential to do really well this season.

DR: A large part of your career was spent training at the Moto GP Academy opposite many other talented young riders. How fierce was the competition you faced?

BS: The competition was always difficult. Having five other guys train all the time with you and live with you in an apartment meant we were a really strong team though, and we’d always help each other whenever we could. But having a group of lads ranging from 14 to 18 years old always meant there was going to be some of that male rivalry so to speak!

DR: I’d expect that your favourite GP would be the British GP, but technically which track is your favourite?

BS: Mugello, because the track itself is constantly going up and down hills making it really good fun. The people are really enthusiastic and the crowd are just electric - because the track is in a valley you get people sitting and watching on hills all around the track making the atmosphere really great. The food is good and weather is always nice, and I also won there last year making it even better.

DR: Recently there’s been a decline in the number of British riders competing in Moto GP. Do you think this is due to a lack of interest in the UK in getting involved in racing at a professional level?

BS: The UK promotes the four stroke route generally we’re talking Superbikes and Supersport 600. A few weeks ago at World Superbikes testing we saw five Brits finish in the top six, so it’s not that we’ve not got the riders, it’s more that we’ve not got those riders in Moto GP, which is two stroke rather than four stroke. In Spain the main junior racing is all two stroke 125’s meaning that they’re probably better prepared for Moto GP than some of our riders are, this is probably why the quality of British Superbikes is so good and why we’ve had a lot of success in World Superbikes in the past with guys like James Toseland.

DR: What do you do to prepare yourself for each race?

BS: It basically revolves around a race week plan. Obviously this includes all the training which runs from Monday all the way to Sunday, but one of my own personal methods is to spend a few hours cycling around the track on a Thursday - this means I can get to check out the track in closer detail and it also gives me a chance to look at some of the scenery which you often miss when you’re flying round at 150mph - it gives me a chance to look more in depth at things.  Another thing is trying to visualize the track -  I imagine the track in my head and see how close I can get to the actual lap time while timing it. This helps me get in tune mentally to the track. And as I said, the most important thing for me is the routine - I get my leathers on at this time, I warm up at that time, I stretch at this time and so on. Everything is a routine for me - as soon as I get that helmet on my body knows it’s ready to race.

DR: You’ve recently done some work with Capcom producing the new Moto GP game. Are you a gamer yourself?

BS: Let’s not say gamer, as that would probably be disrespectful to the gaming industry! But yeah, I’m a huge fan of any games to do with bikes and motorsport games in general - especially when I get to ride all the tracks I race on in real life on the Xbox - it’s pretty cool.

DR: What was it like seeing your virtual self on screen?

BS: Very strange, but fun! I felt proud as well, because I grew up playing Moto GP games and I always thought it would be cool to play as me and I’ve achieved that.  All my friends and family can now play as me as well, but most of the time they just brag about how they beat me on the game playing as another rider! I’m pretty competitive though, so I get kicked off the 360 by my brother a lot when I’m at home! I’m also really impressed by Xbox Live and how you can play against anyone else from around the world, it’s a really great thing for the Moto GP fans worldwide.  

DR: Why are you number 38?

BS: Basically, my dad’s number in Motorcross was number 88 so when I did Motorcross I kept number 88. Then I switched to road racing and raced my first full season as number 38. After that I joined the Moto GP academy where I was given number 32 - it’s kind of an unwritten rule that you keep the number you were given at the academy. It turned out number 32 was already taken, so I decided to take half of my motorcross roots and half of my road racing roots to get number 38 - I just combined 88 and 32.

DR: Finally, what do you hope to achieve this season?

BS: I want to become World Champion! If I can’t, then the I at least want to improve my results over last season, which would be difficult as I did so well last year. I want to be competitive obviously, but carrying that form over 17 races isn’t easy. Luck won’t always be on my side, but I hope that lady luck helps me a little bit and that this time next year I’ll be World Champion.

Bradley had a great Saturday afternoon karting with Peter Rushton and his family in Loughborough.. He came out on top after a full half an hour of high speed action with his own Dad, brother Cortnie and the ultra competitive Rushton family.

Peter is the Chief Executive of the Optimum Business Solutions who are one of his new personal sponsors this season. The Cheshire – based company specialize in Procurement outsourcing and Fleet management services, helping customers secure substantial cost savings in the sourcing of company cars and commercial vehicles. Bradley is the promotional face for Optimum’s Fleet services.

After the karting, Peter’s 15 year old son Dominic sat down with Bradley to conduct his very own interview with the World Championship runner-up.

(The interview will be here soon)

The result – a brilliant professional interview which we are delighted for you to enjoy below – Surely a journalist of the future and that’s not Bradley!

Hey everyone

It’s the end of another week and amazingly we are now in February.

So it’s been pretty flat out this week, Dad and I have been racking up the miles around the country. Dress codes have changed from kart suits to dinner suits and from video games to kart tracks so we have been mixing it up this last seven days.

First things first and the MotoGP 09/10 game launch with capcom. It’s only the second time I have got inside the BRDC Suite at Silverstone and they have an incredible miniature car collection which they inform me is the biggest in the world, and they only have 75% of them out on show.  The day was rammed full of interviews for me and when I could I grabbed an Xbox to get in some practice laps in. Its amazing to see how competitve people get when there is a prize up for grabs, but to be honest this was a 2009 Motogp Limited edition Tissot watch so I can fully understand.

The following day I was on a flight from Stansted - Treviso to go and visit the AXO factory. Custom boots and then sizing up for Made to Measure Leathers were the start of the day, making me feel like a real Grand Prix rider. Then a full tour of the race department to meet the ladies that make my leathers when i throw my self down the track. They are so enthusiatic and passionate about helping the riders and that in itself was great to see. We finished off with a quick lunch and then back to the airport to fly home to the Friday night and five pm and the M25 traffic. I take my hat of to you guys that have to sit in that day in, day out.

The next morning I was heading up to Loughborough for a Karting session with Optimum. I have mentioned these guys before and you can now check out their website on the sponsor’s page. We had a right laugh with the usual banter beforehand and then the bumping and barging on the track, thankfully we did not break anything. We then headed for lunch and this was a chance to speak with a budding journo. Dominic Rushden’s ten questions with Bradley Smith interview will appear on the website very soon.

Its was then back to Oxford and jump into our penguin outfit and of to Milton Keynes. Hottrax had invited me to hand out the trophies for their presentation evening. I have to say a big Thankyou for the warm welcome i received and to the people that brought my knee sliders and posters all in aid of the CJ Riders Fund. The excitement from all the riders and families when they were called up for their awards made for a special night.

Finally I have been busy packing for a long training trip to California, where I will have the chance to watch San Diego and Anaheim III AMA supercross rounds, and also a NASCAR race at Fontana. So i will be sending over pictures and my weekly updates from State-Side for a while.

Also watch out for the Pictures and News from my First Test of 2010 in Barcelona on 18th+19th February.

Speak with Y'All soon

Bradley #38

The 2009 World 125 cc Championship runner-up Bradley Smith launched the sensational new MotoGP 09/10 video game at the Silverstone circuit in England on Wednesday.

The 19 year old Aspar Aprilia rider took on over 50 journalists in a series of grand prix races featured on the new game produced by Capcom. At the finish following some titanic battles, a new Tissot MotoGP watch was awarded to the journalist who beat Bradley on time in a three lap race at the Mugello circuit in Italy where Bradley won his second grand prix of the season last year.

“It’s a brilliant game not only for the racing at all the MotoGP venues including the new circuits at the Balatonring in Hungary and Silverstone in England but all aspects of grand prix racing including sponsorship, livery and PR,” explained Smith who was joined by fellow British riders Scott Redding and Danny Webb at the launch which was held at the prestigious BRDC suite at the Silverstone circuit that will host the British Grand Prix this year. “There were some serious game players there and I’m glad I don’t have to meet them out on the track.”

Not since the heady days of late legend Barry Sheene have British fans witnessed home talent enjoying as much success in Grand Prix racing as Bradley Smith did in 2009.

It was a year in which the Oxfordshire rider brilliantly converted undoubted potential into major success, as he became the most successful British Grand Prix rider for a generation.

Two victories in a cauldron atmosphere at Jerez and Mugello made Smith Britain’s most successful Grand Prix rider since Sheene and justified why he had been touted as of one the brightest prospects to emerge in the UK in decades. A maiden win in Spain also ended his own personal quest for an elusive first win.

Riding for the Aspar Aprilia squad, expectation and pressure was high with the Spanish squad the dominant force in the 125GP arena.

Nobody was more aware of the need to succeed than Smith himself and he needed the win in Jerez to inject much needed impetus to a season that had made a faltering start.

He was fifth in the rain-shortened Qatar night opener and tenth in Japan following a near huge high-side that left him soaked him blood after the jagged edge of a smashed fairing left him with a gaping neck wound.

When he kept his nerve to win a pulsating Italian GP in Mugello, Smith led the world championship. No other British rider had held that distinction since Sheene in 1979.

His hopes of title glory though suffered a crushing blow at the pivotal mid-season stage.

He’d qualified second on the grid at the Sachsenring in Germany, but had an instantly forgettable race when he crashed twice in the opening four laps and failed to score points for the first time.

Worse was to follow though.

His wild celebrations at a brilliant home pole position at Donington Park proved premature as Smith crashed out of the lead in a five-lap dash after rain had halted proceedings.

He remounted to finish 20th, but ultimately it was the mistakes in the German and British races that robbed him of his chance to mount a stronger title assault.

Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon won both the Sachsenring and Donington clashes to inflict maximum punishment on Smith.

And Simon would prove to be Smith’s nemesis for the rest of the season as the Spaniard went onto clinch his first world title.

Undeterred and appearing mentally more bulletproof than ever before, Smith then embarked on arguably the best spell of his riding career.

He ended the season with six successive podium finishes that included four narrow second places.

He had emerged from a pack of hot young Latino talent that included the likes of Nicolas Terol, Pol Espargaro and Andrea Iannone to pose the most serious threat to Simon’s domination of the 125 class in the second half of the campaign.

In the final three races in Australia, Malaysia and Valencia he lost out in thrilling last lap battles to Simon. The margin of defeat combined in the final three races amounted to less than 1.5s and showed the huge strides Smith had made in establishing himself as a consistent podium threat in 2009.

Smith might have become Britain’s best Grand Prix rider since Sheene and shown with unrivalled dedication and no shortage of talent that he is a genuine star in the making. In Sepang he clinched second place in the championship, yet inexplicably he got no offers to move to the new Moto2 600cc four-stroke class as he desperately craved.

Smith re-signed with Aspar Aprilia for another shot at the 125 title and will undoubtedly start 2010 as a pre-season favourite. Are we to finally to see a British world champion in again in Grand Prix racing? Watch this space.

Hey everyone

Another busy week has passed,

I was heading back to my roots last week and back to the motocross bike.
My dad Allan, Jeremy our friend/mechanic and myself filled the van and was heading to Holland. Eurotunnel brought back old memories of racing in the Dutch motocross championship back in 2001 but this time I was indoors.

Supercross practice with my good friend Rinus van de Ven for two days was tough, as he really put me and dad through our paces. Soon we had shaken out the cobwebs and were busily doubling and tripling our way round the track.

You never loose your touch in motocross just you get a little rusty.

At the weekend I was part of the "get race fit" day organised at the Porsche Human Performance Centre at Silverstone. It was a day filled with tests, assesments and information.

My role on the day was to be put through my paces on the treadmill and complete the lactate threshhold test. Results were positive and it shows that my training over the winter break is all on the right track.

The day finished off with a q+a session with f1 driver Mark Webber, this was a great opportunity to get a real drivers view on fitness in motorsport.

Mark is a new friend of mine after meeting at the MotoGP and it's great to know somebody else who is at the top of their game and such a determined athlete.

Also we have the Monster energy vs. Red Bull battle every time we meet up which is always highly amusing.

This Wednesday I am launching the new MotoGP 2010 game to the media, so I am now racking up the laps on the games console to make sure I will not be beaten.

Take care everyone and I will update you soon.

Cheers

Bradley #38

Hey everybody

Well Happy New Year to you all. Hope you have started 2010 how you mean to go on

I have had an amazing Christmas period with family and friends. It is always nice to have time at home and separate myself from the racing world

The New Year kicked off with a one week skiing holiday in Sauze d'oulx.
The trip started of with an early 2am wake up call, ready for a flight at 5:30.
Crashing on the first day getting of the ski lift was not a great start, but by the end of the seven days I was heading down the black moggle runs.

The second week of January was filled with more first time experiences.
Firstly after battling our way through the snow I visited the Man City ground to watch the game against Blackburn. A big thanks to Mike Jones and Peter Rushden at Optimum for the chance to watch the game in the Hospitality suite.

Optimum is a new personal sponsor of mine for 2010 and I really appreciate the help and support that they have shown me already.

Driving back to home was a long trip and finally hit my bed at 2:30, only to hear an alarm at 07:30. This time it was suit and tie and an invitation to the Houses of Parliament. The Bradley Smith crew of Mark Kleanthous (trainer), Claire Sobas (Nick Harris Media Communications) and myself rolled passed Big Ben ready for my speech to MP's and Lords about the motorcycle industry. The security was immense and after a quick tour of the building it was time for business. I just about got my words out as the first speaker and the rest of the day went very smoothly. (Thanks to Paul Blezard for the photo).

For the final port of call I was again on the road, this time to the Autosport show. As part of a new project I have lined up for 2010 with Racing Steps Foundation I was now on four wheels. David Brabham had put together a charity event for 20 teams of karters in support of Malaria No More. I have to say my fairground bumper car technique came in handy as I bashed into everybody out there, I did not make friends but I am not racing them this season anyway.

My agenda for the next few weeks:
Trip to Holland with my motocross bike, Porche Motorsport fitness day, MCN Show at London Excel.

As always I will be keeping you up to date with the crazy but exciting life that I will live through 2010.

Cheers

Bradley #38

Hi Everyone,

Bradley has recently returned from a well deserved holiday with his family, but now he has returned he is immidiatly back into a schedule of meetings and appearances.

You may have seen a nice article about Bradley in this weeks MCN

Bradley will also be making an appearance at the Autosport show tomorrow and will also be at the MCN London motorcycle show at the Excel centre on the first day (Thursday 4th Feb).

Steve