Smith laps fastest in first Czech session

Bancaja Aspar’s Bradley Smith has a point to prove this weekend at Brno, following the heartbreak of crashing out of the race lead at the British Grand Prix three weeks ago, so the presence of the young Briton at the head of the 125cc FP1 timesheet on Friday was no great surprise.

The Oxfordshire teenager has dropped behind World Championship leader and team-mate Julián Simón in the standings in recent rounds and will look to revive his title assault at this weekend’s Cardion ab Czech Republic Grand Prix.

The closest rider to paceman Smith on the timesheet was Red Bull KTM’s Marc Marquez, the Spaniard lapping 0.113s behind the Englishman, who registered a best time of 2’09.211.

Also in the top five were Smith’s team-mates Simón and Sergio Gadea, third and fifth fastest respectively, joined by another Spaniard Nico Terol (Jack & Jones Team), who crashed without consequences mid-session and finished fourth.

Also in the top ten were Sandro Cortese (Ajo Interwetten), Andrea Iannone (Ongetta Team I.S.P.A.), Stefan Bradl (Viessmann Kiefer Racing), Pol Espargaró (Derbi Racing Team) and Scott Redding (Blusens Aprilia).