MotoGP Qatar test: Bradley Smith finishes fastest

Bradley Smith ended a brilliant 2008 testing campaign with the fastest time at the 125GP night test in Qatar.

Just days before the new season kicks off under floodlights, Smith’s best time of 2:05.306 was the quickest at the three-night session, even though he was second fastest on the final night.

The result extends Bradley Smith’s superb pre-season form, and there are now high hopes the Polaris World Aprilia team rider can start the season with at least a top five finish on Sunday night.

Smith has now topped the timesheets in three of the four 2008 tests and been second in the other, and he said: “I’m happy and ready to give it my 100 per cent maximum effort.”

Impressive rookie Scott Redding was seventh fastest last night (Monday).

The 125 riders will officially kick off the new season when they start free practice at 6pm on Friday night.