Australia MotoGP: Bradley Smith ‘annoyed’ at late mistake

British teenager Bradley Smith admitted he was annoyed with himself after a late crash in 125GP qualifying cost him his chance of a front row start for tomorrow’s Phillip Island race.

Smith was looking good to claim a front row position when he lost the front of his Aspar Aprilia machine at Turn Four on his last flying lap.

The Oxfordshire rider slipped down to fifth place on the grid following his slow speed mistake and he said: “I’m a bit annoyed with myself about the crash because I knew turn four was a dangerous one, where you have to take it at around 80 per cent, but I got excited and pushed too hard.

“It is always a tricky one for the right hand side of the tyre and it let go on me straight away. Anyway, other than that I am happy because the bike is stable and I think we have the pace to run at the front tomorrow.

“I wanted to push for pole position over the final few laps but it is always difficult here if you can’t get a slipstream.

“I’m starting from the second row but if I can get off the line well then I have the pace to run with the front group and even break them up if possible.

“The fewer there are of us in the fight the better.”