Motegi MotoGP: Bradley Smith nearing Aspar deal

Bradley Smith’s move to the Aspar Aprilia team moved a step closer to being finalised today, with the major backers of his current squad withdrawing from the world 125GP championship for 2009.

• Get the latest MotoGP news

Polaris World, builders of Spanish holiday homes, will quit having been badly affected by the global credit crunch. Sources close to the team told MCN that Polaris World couldn’t justify continuing to invest in racing, with the firm poised to axe 600 staff because of the economic slowdown.

Smith was expected to sign for the Jorge Martinez’s squad anyway for 2009, but the withdrawal of Polaris World means his deal can now be finalised.