Bradley Smith ready to start title challenge

Aspar Aprilia rider Bradley Smith is confident he will be challenging for victories from the start of the new 2010 campaign.

The Oxfordshire rider begins his quest for 125GP glory under the Losail International Circuit floodlights in Qatar this weekend having ended pre-season testing in disappointing fashion.

Smith was only just inside the top ten when winter testing concluded in Jerez last month, but the 19-year-old insists he will be on top form when the first race gets underway in Qatar on Sunday night.

Smith, who suffered a nasty burn to his neck when he crashed out during the final test in Spain, said: “At last it’s time to go racing and the effort to get up to train on some of those cold, wet winter mornings will all seem worth it.

“We’ve just finished three days of testing at Jerez and despite not setting any fast times I’m confident going into that first race with both the bike and the structure of the team.

“We were not prepared to risk anything so near the first race and my corner speed was good and I have plenty left in my pocket for Qatar.

“The test also reminded me that crashing and a bit of pain are all part and parcel of racing when I suffered a rubber burn on my neck which came when I was run over by my own bike when I crashed. It will be fine for Qatar.

“It’s important to score some decent points in the first race of 17 and that’s exactly what I aim to do. I learnt so much last year which should really help me this year starting under those Qatar floodlights.”