Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith on pole despite crash scare

Bradley Smith became the first British rider to claim a 125GP pole position for 36 years tonight in Qatar as three Brits qualified in the top five for tomorrow’s opening race of 2008.

But it was hearts in mouths for British fans at the end of a dramatic session when Smith suffered a big high-side crash on his last flying lap.

Bradley Smith limped away having stayed on his hands and knees in the gravel trap for a few seconds, though it appeared he had been fortunate to escape injury.

The Oxfordshire rider claimed Britain’s first 125GP pole since Chas Mortimer at Spa in 1972, and on a fantastic night, rookie Scott Redding claimed a superb front row start with fourth.

And just one place further back on the grid in fifth is Danny Webb.

Bradley Smith had just posted his best time of 2:05.242 to hold onto his provisional pole when he was 0.151s up through the first three splits on his last flying lap.

And though he crashed out for the second time this weekend, his best lap was good enough for pole position by just 0.066s from reigning world champion Gabor Talmacsi.

Blusens Aprilia rider Scott Redding also produced a superb performance in his first GP, claiming the last spot on the front row with a best time of 2:05.545 that he clocked with just three minutes remaining.

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