German MotoGP: Bradley Smith targets podium

Bradley Smith is hoping a podium finish in this weekend’s German 125GP will give him a double boost.

The 18-year-old is looking for a top three finish at the Sachsenring to keep his world title hopes on track, the Oxfordshire rider trailing Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon by 5.5 points heading into round eight.  And Smith is also hoping for a positive result to give himself a massive confidence boost ahead of his home race at Donington Park on July 26.

Smith, who has won two races so far in 2009 to become the most successful British rider since Barry Sheene, said:

“I scored a good result at Sachsenring last year. In the end I finished fourth so I hope it can be different this time. I tend to go fast straight away at Sachsenring and I’ve qualified on the front row for the past two seasons so I’m optimistic and I think we can aim to be on the podium on Sunday.

“It is a fairly straightforward circuit – tight and twisty – and the lap times tend to be close, so we have to be really focused on finding those last few tenths. The majority of corners are left-handers so the wear and tear on the left hand side of your tyres and your body is higher than at other tracks.

“Other than that, I just want to get a good result and generate even more motivation, if that’s possible, to take to my home race at Donington.”

 

• Do you think you know who is going to win at the Sashsenring? Have a free £25 bet with Betfair