Sepang MotoGP: Bradley Smith fastest in 125GP opener

British teenager Bradley Smith made a fast start in searing hot conditions at the Sepang circuit today to clock the fastest 125GP time ahead of this weekend’s penultimate race of the 2009 campaign.

A brilliant last lap of 2.14.895 from the Oxfordshire rider saw him claim top spot from KTM rider Marc Marquez.

Locked in a personal duel with Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon for most of the session, Smith beat Marquez by 0.200s with a blistering last lap.

Newly crowned world champion Simon had to settle for third place with a best time of 2.15.201 that had put him quickest with just over a remaining.

Fourth quickest was another Spaniard with Nicolas Terol clocking a best of 2.15.520 Gloucestershire rider Scott Redding has his best opening day for a while with the 16-year-old an encouraging 12th quickest on the Blusens Aprilia.

Redding set a best time of 2.16.456 to finish just over 1.5s away from Smith’s benchmark and the 2008 British 125GP winner was less than 0.2s away from the top ten.

It was a tough start in punishing hot conditions for Degraaf Aprilia rider Danny Webb. The 18-year-old, who is still chasing sponsorship to secure a ride in 2010, ended the session in a lowly 22nd position.

His best time of 2.17.815 was close to being three seconds off Smith’s impressive best with Webb crashing out unhurt with just over minutes of the session remaining.