Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith talks provisional pole

Bradley Smith got his 2008 125GP campaign off to the perfect start tonight when he stormed to provisional pole under the Qatar floodlights.

Fastest in tonight’s first free practice session, the Oxfordshire rider produced another brilliant display in the opening qualifying session, beating fellow Brit Danny Webb by 0.3secs.

Bradley Smith shrugged off a crash just two laps after his provisional pole setting time of 2:05.286 in a session that he led by over 0.8secs at one stage.

Speaking to MCN, the Polaris World Aprilia rider said: “I was fine after the crash, but I smacked by right elbow and hit the funny bone which was a bit sensitive.

“The problem is the gravel traps here. It is more like hitting pebbles than gravel, and I hit it and it was just ‘wow’. It tears you up.

“My leathers didn’t come off too badly but the arm was quite painful. I went into the corner and I had a bit of movement from the rear and just went in too fast.

“Conditions were a bit a cold so any slight mistakes and you were either off the track or going down and it was a bit knife-edge to ride.”

Bradley Smith said he was surprised to have topped the timesheets to continue his impressive form, which had seen him top three of the four 2008 winter test sessions.
“It’s a bit surreal to be top in both sessions and like ‘bloody hell, that’s good.’ ”

With Bradley Smith looking certain to play a leading role in the historic first floodlit night race on Sunday, he denied his lack of experience would hinder his hopes of mounting a fight for the victory.

Smith added: “I am from moto cross so you are used to this fighting.

“I know I’ve never had so many battles at the front in the past and some guys have more experience but I’m used to having to fight with other riders so for me it won’t be a problem.”