Smith gets wet boost

Two crashes couldn’t stop British teenager Bradley Smith scoring an encouraging top 10 finish in the IRTA 125 test at Jerez.

The Repsol Honda rider was eighth fastest overall, his best time of 1.48.298 leaving him just 0.5s adrift of Aprilia rider Mattia Pasini who was fastest at the rain-hit two day session.

Smith set that time on a dry opening day in which he completed a marathon 70-lap stint, despite a small crash when he lost the front at turn two.

Another confidence boost for the 2006 Rookie of the Year came on a rain-lashed second day when he logged the second best time. 

His best of 2.00.574 was one second adrift of Sergio Gadea’s best lap in the wet, though Smith crashed again at turn 10.

He lost some skin on the fingers of his left hand, but is otherwise OK.