BRADLEY Smith has signed a new contract with Monster Yamaha Tech 3 to remain in MotoGP for 2016.

Smith, from Forest Hill, near Oxford, is enjoying his best season in MotoGP since he stepped up from Tech 3's Moto2 team in 2013 and next year will be his fourth in the premier class.

The 24-year-old is fifth in the championship with 106 points and the top satellite rider - a team linked to a larger-funded manufacturer - after 11 races.

His best result this year has been fifth, which he achieved at Mugello and Catalunya, while he has beaten teammate Pol Espargaro, who signed a new deal at Indianapolis earlier this month, on nine occasions this year.

The new deal has been announced just days before this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Smith said: "Obviously, I am really pleased to be able to continue this journey with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team and it's fantastic news to resign for another season.

"We will be going into our sixth year together and I must say that it is certainly nice to be giving the guys the results and performances that they deserve at the moment.

"So far in 2015, I have been finishing where we want to be which is very positive, as I'm sure that I am in debt to them for the first two years in the premier class. 

"Everyone in the team has put their faith in me again and we know that 2016 will be tricky due to the changes in regulations, however, I am optimistic that this will give the satellite riders more of a chance to be competitive."

Smith, along with Espargaro and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, also helped the Factory Yamaha Team to their first Suzuka 8 Hours victory in 19 years at the end of last month.