Bradley Smith (motorcyclist)

Infobox 125cc rider
Name = Bradley Smith
Nationality = flagicon|UK British
Birthdate = birth date and age|1990|11|28 [http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/motogp_riders.htm?menu=riders&rider_id=7030&championship_id=1 Official MotoGP profile] ]
Birthplace = Oxford, England
Nicknames =
Bike number = 38
Current team = Polaris World Aprilia
Championships =
Race Starts = 44
Race Wins = 0
Podiums = 4
Poles = 3
Fastest laps = 0
Points = 117 (2008)
Last season = 2008
Last position = 7th

Bradley Smith (born Oxfordshire), is an English motorcycle racer, currently competing in the 125cc Grand Prix World Championship. Smith's father raced in Motocross, and the family owned an open practice track. Smith got his first motocross bike aged six [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/4836008.stm BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Motorbikes | Teenager Smith hits the big time ] ] .

Smith applied for selection to the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) academy for young racers, but was never chosen. He spent a year in 2004 aged 13 competing in the Aprilia Superteams competition, finishing fourth behind three ACU Academy riders. In January 2005 he was asked to compete for the year in the Spanish 125cc championship as part of the MOTO GP Academy, winning the last three races ending the year 2nd just one point behind the champion.

For 2006, he joined the Repsol Honda 125cc Grand Prix World Championship squad, managed by Alberto Puig finishing 19th overall and rookie of the year, with a best result of 8th place in Motegi. Remaining with the team in 2007, he took a first podium with third place at Le Mans. [ [http://londonbikers.com/news/1111/only-uk-appearance-for-schoolboy-racer-bradley-smith Only UK appearance for schoolboy racer Bradley Smith] ] Nine more top-10 finishes left him 10th overall.

Smith signed with the Polaris World Aprilia team for the 2008 season. [ [http://www.f1network.net/main/s180/st122389.htm Bradley Smith for full factory backed Aprilia 125] ] He secured his first pole position at the opening round of the season at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on March 8 [ [http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/motogp_results.htm?event_id=3584&subevent_id=5847&gallery_id=52205&championship_id=1 2008 125cc Qualifying - Qatar] ] , but suffered a technical problem while leading. [ [http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12032008/23/bradley-smith-column-qatar.html Bradley Smith column - Qatar] ] A number of midseason injuries affected him [ [http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/july/7-13/jul1008-motogp-bradley-smith-almost-fit-sachsenring/ Bradley Smith almost fit - Sachsenring] ] , but he scored podium finishes at Jerez and Le Mans (after briefly leading the five-lap sprint required by a red flag for rain). He lead at both Assen and Sachsenring, but finished off the podium in both.

For the 2009 season, Smith has been signed by the Bancaja Aspar team to continue to ride an Aprilla, alongside Julian Simon. The deal also includes an option to race in 250s for the team in 2010. [ [http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/170138-0/smith_column__signing_for_aspar.html Smith column - signing for Aspar] ] Smith had almost signed for the team in 2008, before signing for Polarisworld. [ [http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Aspar+confirms+Smith+and+Simon+for+2009+125cc+team Aspar confirms Smith and Simon for 2009 125cc team] ]

Career statistics

By Seasons

* Season in progress

References

External links

* [http://www.bradley-smith.co.uk Personal website]