Bradley Smith is hopeful that the rain stays away ahead of round nine of the MotoGP in Assen, Holland this weekend.

The Oxford youngster is confident that with a dry track, he can challenge for honours in his Repsol Honda.

Like everybody else, Smith and fellow Brit Danny Webb left home in a hurry after Donington to be at Assen in time for practice and qualifying on Thursday.

"I think we just all hope that the rain does not follow us to Holland after all the problems at Donington," Smith said.

"I was pleased to score good points and I'm confident of some more at Assen.

"The flowing track should suit the Repsol Honda and I enjoyed my debut there last year."

Webb finished 25th at Donington despite having to start from the back of the grid.

His De Graff Honda team is based in Holland and he wants to score their first points of the season on home soil.

"It was another difficult weekend at Donington, but we finished despite the back row start." he said.

"I'm looking forward to Assen and I so want to do well for the team who has given me such great support and encouragement this season.

"To score some points for them would be brilliant."