Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith claims stunning debut top ten

Bradley Smith produced one of the performances of the first race in Qatar last night after he claimed a brilliant ninth place in his Moto2 debut.

The Oxfordshire was as high as fifth in the early stages before he got embroiled in a tough scrap with Michele Pirro.

Dropped back to tenth in the closing stages, he produced a stunning late rally to pass former Aspar Aprilia team-mate and 125GP world champion Julian Simon for ninth.

The 20-year-old said: “It feels awesome to have got a top ten in my Moto2 debut. I’d always set my heart on a top 15, so this is a real bonus. I feel like I earned it though because I am really tired now and the race was quite tough.

“Moto2 is obviously a lot more physical than 125s, so I might need to spend even more time in the gym! I learned so much in the race it was unbelievable. Those guys at the front certainly don’t hang around and while I’m obviously happy with my result, we’ve got work to match that pace.

“I’d say I’m a second a lap behind them at the moment, but I also learned a lot about the bike and what we need to do to take another step. But to pass and hold off a rider as good as Julian is a great feeling too. I guess I owed him one from our time together in 125s.

“The Tech 3 Racing Team never stop working so I know we will have some improvements for the next race in Jerez. Tonight was as much of a test as it was a race, so we can only get stronger.”

For more from Smith and full coverage from the Losail International Circuit opener, see Wednesday’s MCN.