British MotoGP: Bradley Smith to race Jenson Button - at triathlon!

MotoGP will clash with Formula One in London next month with Bradley Smith and Jenson Button poised to take each other on in the London Triathlon.

Oxfordshire rider Smith, who has won two races in 2009 to emerge as a serious 125GP title contender, challenged current F1 championship leader Button when the two recently met during the recent British Formula GP at Silverstone.

Smith attended Silverstone as a guest of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, with his early season success making him the most successful rider since British legend Barry Sheene.

Button’s father, John Button, is a keen follower of MotoGP and began talking with Smith, which led to a meeting with Brawn F1 driver Jenson. And upon learning of their shared passion for competing in triathlons Smith challenged Button to a race in the London Triathlon, the world’s largest triathlon, after Lewis Hamilton withdrew from racing Button.

Smith is no newcomer to triathlons and the swim, cycle and running events are a major focus of his training regime. Button however, is the bookies favourite, the 29-year-old regularly competing in triathlon events.

Smith said: “I told him straight away that ‘Lewis (Hamilton) won’t race you but I will’. I’ve made sure I’m in the same wave start time as Jenson so we really get to battle head to head. Jenson has been really good about it and we’ve been swapping the odd text in the build-up to the race.

“Hopefully at the end of this season we will both win our respective championships, which is fantastic for British motorsport. But there’s only going to be one winner in the triathlon and I’m planning on making sure that it’s me!”

• Do you think you know what will happen in MotoGP? Have a free £25 bet with Betfair