BRADLEY Smith came close to ending Britain's 32-year wait for a motorcycling Grand Prix world champion last year – but has set his sights firmly on bringing home the title in 2010.

Smith, 19, was runner up in the FIM 125cc World Championship on his Aspar Aprilia to teammate Julian Simon, but is favourite to take the crown next season and be the first Briton since the late Barry Sheene to claim a world title.

Sheene won the 500cc championship for Suzuki in 1976 and 1977 but his retirement in 1984 began a drought which has seen a generation of riders fail to make the grade.

James Toseland is the latest in a long line to take on the world's best and come up short, but after two wins and a further seven podium finishes this year, Smith is ready to take top spot – particularly after Simon made the step up to the new Moto2 class.

Smith said: “I learned a lot as a rider last year and you can see that the bike was the same as in 2008, but my lap times have consistently improved.

“I had a lot fewer crashes and consistently finished races in the points which is what you need to do to win the title, and I also learned a lot from watching Simon race.

“He had a completely different style to anyone else and that made me improve my riding.

“I feel that I stepped up my level and in the last three or four rounds of the season the two of us were in a class of our own.

“I am learning when to push for a win and when to accept the points and that comes with experience.”

Smith has ambitions to move through the classes and emulate the likes of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner by ending up in MotoGP and is under no illusions that he must deliver this season.

Simon’s move leaves the Oxfordshire youngster as firm favourite for a title, but he is relishing the responsibility.

He said: “There is added pressure on me for 2010 after finishing second in 2009. If I do not win, then people will see it as a waste of a year.

“But I feel really good about the bike, I don't want to stop for winter as I am flying at the minute, but we will all be ready for the opening round.

“It’s a shame that James Toseland missed his opportunity in MotoGP as British biking needs someone up there, but hopefully the focus will be on us in the 125s next year.

“There has been a lot of talk about being the first since Barry Sheene to win a title, but that is still a long way away.

“There is a big chance for me to win the title this year, but if I start chasing that dream too early it won’t happen.

“It’s nice to have the limelight on me and it’s a chance for me to shine, but I need to keep calm and keep doing what I have been doing for the last year or so.

“With a world title, all doors are open for you as a young rider and I will be able to pick the route for my career if I do it but it will take a lot of hard work and luck for it to come off.

“But hopefully this time next year I will have that trophy on my mantelpiece at home.”