Bradley Smith is looking to build upon his positive start to the MotoGP season at the Spanish circuit of Jerez this weekend.

The 24-year-old from Forest Hill, near Oxford, has secured top eight finishes in all three opening rounds, including successive sixth places.

Smith lies seventh in the rider standings with 28 points and is the second placed satellite rider – a team linked to a larger-funded team – behind compatriot Cal Crutchlow.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider, who was 16th fastest after yesterday’s two practice sessions, said: “I aim to continue the positive momentum that I have so far this season.

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“I know we can be strong in front of the superb crowd.

“The start of the year has been great and we’ve been in the hunt for the leading satellite position at every race so far.

“Now it’s time to take to the European soil and fight for this again.”

THE HEL British Motostar Championship heads to Oulton Park for round three, with Oxford’s Georgina Polden in action.

Polden is 11th in the standings after picking up 21 points from Donington Park and Brands Hatch.

She produced a stunning ride from the back of the grid at Brands two weeks ago to finish eighth after an engine problem ruled her out of the first race.

The RS Racing rider is now looking to take heart from that particular performance.

“I knew I had a lot of work to do,” she said.

“As I was riding I had a mist come over me and if I use that race graft it may help me from now on.

“Oulton Park is my kind of track and I like how it flows.

“Hopefully I will adapt to it quite quickly and the practice sessions go to plan.”