Catalunya GP: Bradley Smith seventh quickest

After finishing a brilliant second fastest this morning, British teenager Bradley Smith had to settle for seventh place on the provisional grid for Sunday’s Catalunya 125 GP.

The Oxfordshire rider clocked a best time of 1.51.970 in this afternoon’s opening 30-minute qualifying session to claim a spot on the provisional second row.

That was 0.7s slower than his best lap in this morning’s free practice session, but grip was harder to find this afternoon with air and track temperatures up in baking hot conditions in Barcelona.

Track temperature peaked at 43 degrees and air temperature at 31 degrees as Czech Republic rider Lukas Pesek claimed provisional pole with a best time of 1.51.119. That was 0.851s clear of Smith.

The Repsol Honda rider was joined on the provisional second row by world 125 championship leader Hector Faubel, Sergio Gadea and Sandro Cortese, who crashed unhurt late in the session.

Fellow British teenager Danny Webb qualified 33rd with a best of 1.55.002.