Mugello MotoGP: Third for Bradley Smith in 125 opener

Bradley Smith ended first 125GP practice in Mugello today in an encouraging third place as Spanish duo Pol Espargaro and Nicolas Terol continued their domination of the 2010 series.   

Oxfordshire rider Smith secured his place on the provisional front row after a lap of 2.00.023 moved him from seventh to third position with just under two minutes of the session remaining. 

Although it was a boost for Smith, who won last year’s Italian MotoGP race, he was still a massive 0.650s off Espargaro in first place. 

Smith has yet to claim a podium finish in 2010 but in the last two races he’s been in the top six.

Espargaro made the perfect start to his bid for a third straight win in 2010 with a best lap of 1.59.373 seeing him win his on-going personal duel with Smith’s team-mate Terol.

Terol had led in the final stages but Espargaro snatched top spot by just 0.058s.
Just two points split the Spanish duo going into Sunday’s 20-lap race.

Completing the top four was Efren Vazquez who logged a best time of 2.00.218.
Kent rider Danny Webb set the 13th best time but he was a massive 2.165s off Espargaro with a best time of 2.01.538.