BRADLEY Smith will be hoping to gain valuable track time when qualifying for the Qatar MotoGP begins today.
The Red Bull KTM rider is likely to only take part in the first qualifying run, with the top two joining the ten fastest from free practice to decide the front four rows of the grid for Sunday’s race.
Smith had predicted a tough season and that was underlined at the Losail International Circuit yesterday.
The 26-year-old, from Forest Hill, finished last in both practice sessions and was 3.704secs adrift of Movistar Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, who set the pace on the combined timesheets ahead of world champion Marc Marquez.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here