Bradley 12th In Qatar FP1

The 2010 season officially opened at 8pm this evening as the 125cc World Championship riders took to the Losail circuit for the first free practice of the campaign. The aperitif to a feast of action saw the riders make progress on their test pace, although they are still some way off circuit record lap times here, with the Spanish armada firmly in control.
 
Bancaja Aspar’s two riders started out positively but had enjoyed contrasting fortunes by the end of the hour, Nico Terol having dominated the opening stages before struggling with some rear grip issues in the fourth sector of the track and Bradley Smith held up by an engine problem after fifteen minutes that limited his progress. Nico also suffered engine problems late in the session, just as he fitted a fresh tyre, and the Spaniard was forced to stay in his pit for the final ten minutes. However, with his British team-mate reporting positive feedback from his chassis, both riders are confident of scaling positions tomorrow.

12th Bradley Smith 2.09.945 (16 laps):
“I’m exhausted, the first session is always so exciting. To be honest my mechanics had more work to do today than we would have liked but we had some issues with my carburettor. We don’t know what caused it but we do know what we have to do to fix it, which is more important. As far as chassis is concerned the Aprilia is working perfectly – I feel like I can really lean it over everywhere. So I’m not stressed about it, I know that tomorrow once the bike is running faster we can get in the positions where we belong. I’m not far off as it is and I was able to follow a few guys through most of the corners anyway.”