Bradley Smith aims for more Jerez glory

Bradley Smith is hoping he can emulate his stunning maiden 125GP victory at Jerez in 2009 when he returns for the eagerly awaited Spanish GP this weekend.

The Oxfordshire rider won his first Grand Prix in stunning fashion at Jerez a year ago and the result helped the Aspar Aprilia rider mount a serious title threat for the remainder of the season.

Smith went onto finish runner-up behind Julian Simon and with two victories in ’09 he became the most successful British rider in over three decades since the late, great Barry Sheene.

And heading back to the circuit where he made his big world championship breakthrough, Smith said: “Jerez is a circuit that brings back great memories for me, especially my first Grand Prix victory a year ago. I’m excited and looking forward to getting out onto the track and trying to repeat that result on Sunday.”

Smith will also be looking to bounce back from a difficult start to the 2010 campaign in Qatar earlier this month.

A persistent lack of power with his Aprilia motor left the 19-year-old in a frustrating eighth position, and he added: “The important thing will be to identify the problems we had in Qatar on Friday, fix them and start working towards the race.

“It is important for us to have a bike that is 100 per cent effective if we’re going to be fighting in the lead pack.

“Pre-season testing at Jerez was very productive so we know we have a base setting that works there.

“Jerez proved to be my ‘lucky’ circuit last year so hopefully this year it can be the springboard to another good season.”