Bradley Smith: 'I can win British GP'

Bradley Smith is confident he can break his victory duck in 2010 at his home race this weekend at the revamped Silverstone circuit.

Smith goes into Sunday’s crunch home clash without a podium in the opening four races of the 125GP world championship campaign.

But three successive top five finishes have boosted the Aspar Aprilia rider’s confidence as heads to Silverstone, which will host its first British MotoGP race since 1986 this weekend.

Smith, who narrowly missed the podium in the last race at Mugello, said: “I’ve got more self confidence since Mugello than I’ve had for a long time and I know I have the ability to win the British Grand Prix.

“I got a real buzz cycling round the new circuit and I can’t wait to get started. Also I hope to complete some more laps in a car before first practice on Friday afternoon.”

Smith is already 40-points adrift of team-mate Nicolas Terol in the overall series standings and is facing a Spanish onslaught to try and add to the two wins he claimed in a brilliant 2009.

Smith is the only non-Spanish rider in the top six in the points and he added: “The likes of Terol, (Pol) Espargaro and (Marc) Marquez are good but they are beatable as long we start on a level playing with the bikes having equal top speed.

“I’m more excited and determined than nervous because it’s such an important race and so close to home. It’s a special event and it will be tough for everybody at a brand new circuit.

“No team has any data to go back to while the riders will have to make every single lap of practice and qualifying really count. Parts of the track such as Maggots, Becketts and Chapel will be very technical while other parts will be flat out on 125 and Moto2 bikes.”