MOTORSPORT: Bradley Smith heads into the second half of the MotoGP season in a confident mood after winning the Suzuka 8 Hour race during the summer break.

Smith, from Forest Hill, near Oxford, alongside Pol Espargaro and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, helped the Yamaha Factory Team to their first victory at the annual race in 19 years last month.

The 24-year-old is sixth in the MotoGP standings ahead of tomorrow’s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix and is looking to continue his good form.

He said: “The whole thing (Suzuka) really fills me with confidence for the second part of the year in MotoGP.

“I am certain that I can continue my strong form from the opening nine rounds.”

Meanwhile, Bicester’s Simon Mauger maintained his lead in the REIS National Asphalt Rally Championship after the fourth round at Otterburn Ranges in Northumberland.

His third victory sees him lead David Hardie by 18 points with two rounds remaining.

RUGBY: Abingdon School embark on their pre-season tour to Australia and New Zealand this week, playing five matches over 12 days.

Abingdon’s only game in Australia is against Sydney Grammar School on August 10.

A packed fixture list in New Zealand sees them face Palmerston North Boys High School (Aug 13), Hastings Boys High School (Aug 15), Mahurangi School (Aug 19) and Avondale College (Aug 22).

SHOWJUMPING: Alfie Bradstock, the son of Letcombe Bassett trainer Mark, who oversaw Coneygree’s victory at this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, has been selected for Great Britain.

The 19-year-old will compete at the FEI Young Rider European Jumping Championships in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, from Tuesday, August 11.

Oliver Fletcher, 12, from Faringdon has also been selected.

CANOEING: Oxford teenager Tim Morris represented Great Britain at the International Canoe Federation World Cup in Brandenburg, Germany.

The 17-year-old, a member of Falcon RCC Oxford, came eighth out of 14 in the short distance (3.1km) and long course (22km and portage) races.