Le Mans MotoGP: Bradley Smith looking for Jerez repeat

British teenager Bradley Smith is hoping he can continue his impressive run of form at the historic Le Mans circuit to win this weekend’s French 125GP race.

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Le Mans holds fond memories for the 18-year-old, who ended his long quest for a world championship victory when he won the Spanish GP in Jerez earlier this month.

Smith notched his first ever Grand Prix podium in Le Mans on the Repsol Honda in 2007 and bettered that with second place in France last season in a rain-hit shortened encounter.

Should the sequence continue then the Oxfordshire rider will be cracking open the victory champagne again on Sunday.

But the Aspar Aprilia rider told MCN: “I suppose if you believe in trends then it will be third, second and a win.

“But it is certainly not going to be as easy as saying it. I’ve got a great record at Le Mans and it is a circuit I have always enjoyed.

“The only time I’ve not been on the podium was in my rookie season and I go there obviously with my confidence sky high after Jerez.

“It was great to get my first win but I can’t dwell on that and let that distract me.

“Le Mans is another race to be concentrated on and I’m going there determined to put on another good show.”

Smith’s stunning victory in Jerez catapulted him back into contention for the world 125GP title.

He now trails Italian Andrea Iannone by a solitary point in the early title race and he added: “It is only early days and we’ve got a lot more riding to do than we’ve already done, but now I’m back in the hunt it is going to be vital to keep scoring big points to stay in there.

“The other guys know now that I’m capable of winning, so they’ll perhaps look at me as a bigger threat. But I’ve just got to stay concentrated on my own job.”

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