Sachsenring MotoGP: Bradley Smith second on grid for 125GP

British rider Bradley Smith came within just 0.093s of claiming a fourth pole position in 2008 as he had to settle for second on the grid at the end of this afternoon’s 125GP final qualifying session.

The Polaris World Aprilia rider clocked a best time of 1.27.645, but was just edged out to pole position by reigning world champion and Assen winner Gabor Talmacsi.

Several times in the final few laps, Smith looked like he might claim pole position, only to lose out in the technical final section.

Today’s result though is his sixth front row start of the campaign as he nears a return to full fitness after a crash-strewn period.

Completing the front row behind Talmacsi and Smith is home favourite Stefan Bradl who claimed his third front row start. He just edged out world title contender Simone Corsi into fourth, with the Italian going into tomorrow’s 27-lap race trailing series leader Mike di Meglio by 16-points.

Aprilia rider Danny Webb produced a heroic performance to claim 11th on the grid. Struggling with the broken right collarbone he suffered on home soil at Donington Park last month, the 17-year-old clocked a best time of 1.28.535.

British GP winner Scott Redding had a difficult afternoon after he ended 16th on the grid. The Blusens Aprilia rider was unable to beat his time set in yesterday’s opening qualifying session as he clocked a 1.28.801. That was 0.3s slower than yesterday.