Catalunya MotoGP: Bradley Smith 11th in opening 125GP practice

World 125GP championship leader Bradley Smith had a tough start to the Catalunya race weekend this afternoon, the British teenager only 11th on the timesheets in opening free practice.

Smith, who goes into Sunday’s 22-lap race holding a 3.5-point lead over Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon, was only able to clock a best lap of 1.53.824 in scorching hot conditions at the Montmelo circuit.

That time left Smith outside of the top ten and a massive 1.513s off the best pace set by Simon, who beat Sergio Gadea to top spot by 0.495s. Nicolas Terol and Pol Espargaro completed a clean sweep of the top four for Spanish riders.

Best British rider on the opening afternoon of round six of the 2009 series was Scott Redding on the Blusens Aprilia.

He posted a best time of 1.53.374 to finish in eighth, just over a second off Simon’s impressive pace despite nursing nasty cuts and bruises on his right leg after the 16-year-old crashed during a training cycle ride in Spain earlier this week.

Danny Webb ended the session down in 21st position with concerns over a wrist injury he suffered when crashing out on his 14th lap of the 45-minute session.

Webb had just clocked his best time of 1.54.828 when he fell heavily, the 18-year-old walking away from the spill nursing his wrist. He is currently undergoing checks in the Montmelo circuit medical centre.

Rookie Matt Hoyle is again not present in Catalunya, with the future of the Haojue team still uncertain after a recent split from engine designer Jan Witteveen.