BRADLEY Smith was just two seconds off a first MotoGP podium finish in the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas tonight.
The Oxfordshire rider produced a fine race on his Monster Yamaha Tech3 bike, coming home in fifth place.
Smith was just 0.173 seconds behind fourth-placed Stefan Bradl and 1.997 seconds off Andrea Dovizioso in third.
The race was won by Marc Marquez, who was completing back-to-back successes having triumphed in the opening race in Qatar.
He easily saw off Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa to take the chequered flag.
Smith crashed out of the opening race of the season when well-placed, but this time saw it through in an encouraging display.
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