Dream Team For Bradley Smith

Sixteen year-old Bradley Smith has been rewarded for a brilliant season in the 125cc World Championship by joining a top team in 2008. Yesterday (Tuesday) in Spain the Oxford–based rider signed a contract to compete in next year’s 17-round 125cc World Championship with the Polaris World team that have already won four grands prix with Italian Mattia Pasini this season. Smith will ride one of the latest factory Italian Aprilia machines that have dominated the Championship this year winning 13 of the 16 rounds.

“I’m very proud to have been made such a brilliant offer and already I’m looking forward to next season,” said Smith from Forest Hill, who had only returned from Malaysia the previous day after finishing ninth in the grand prix on Sunday. “To compete on a slightly more competitive machine with the support of such a professional team will be fantastic. In the meantime I will now concentrate all my efforts at the final grand prix of the season in Valencia, Spain a week on Sunday.”

Smith, who currently lies tenth in the World 125cc Championship riding the Repsol Honda with one round remaining, re-wrote the history books earlier this year when he finished third in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. His is the youngest British rider to finish on a grand prix podium in the 58-year history of World Championship racing. Also he was the first British rider for 18 years to stand on a 125cc podium.

Webb Looks Certain To Continue

Another 16 year-old Danny Webb looks certain to continue his career in the 125cc World Championship next season. The Kent-based teenager has fought hard in a difficult first season and scored his first points of the year in the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan. Webb is set to renew his deal with the Dutch–based Arie Molenaar team in Valencia next week.

14 Year-Old Redding Races Ahead In World Championship

Fourteen year-old Gloucestershire schoolboy Scott Redding so impressed his Spanish–based team by winning a round of the Spanish National Championship they rewarded him with a contract to ride in the 2008 125cc World Championships.

Redding won the recent Spanish round in Albacete for the BQR Blusens Aprilia team to blow their plans for 2008 sky high. Originally they had planned for him to compete in a few wild card grands prix next season but they were so impressed by his performance they offered him a full time grand prix ride.

“It’s what I’ve dreamt of and my next goal is to win the 2008 125cc Rookie of the Year,” explained the impressive youngster.

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	Foxy \| 24 October 2007, 16:17 (report) #1 At last, some young blood that can work their way up into MotoGP... Bradley's ride looks like it'll do him well.. Fingers crossed for the boys next season. A bloody good reason to start watching the 125's now too...

	Jay \| 24 October 2007, 16:58 (report) #2 That's great news. I wonder what the difference will be between the Repsol team and the Polaris one? Best of luck to Bradley for next year, we need more Brits in GP's!

	B \| 24 October 2007, 19:19 (report) #3 Fantastic news! It's been a pleasure to see a very young Brit doing so well in gp's, thank God he hasn't disappeared into the wilderness and has been signed up by a good team and on a competitive bike. I think he'll have a very bright future ahead of him given the right chances.

	The Fizz \| 24 October 2007, 21:47 (report) #4 What an awesome move Moto GP has done. There main target was to look for more British riders to go to Moto GP and they have done it. Thank you Moto GP and Dorna. Really awesome that us Brits have 4 Brits getting rides next year with James Toseland included. Really Brillent news about Bradley Smith getting one of the best rides in 125 class. Really good team that Polaris World are and I hope they can provide Bradley with a competitive bike. Great news all around for the Brits in Moto GP in 125 and Moto GP class.

	Jay \| 25 October 2007, 00:16 (report) #5 After our 'treble' lately, we need to be pushing hard in all the sports we can. 2008 will be a very entertaining year for sure :)

	Killer #1 \| 25 October 2007, 10:25 (report) #6 Jay, The Repsol team is the factory Honda team. Honda have not produced a competitive bike for past 2 years - 2 stroke 125's are not their priority. The Polaris team are the factory Aprilia team and have won 13 of 16 races this year - therefore I expect Bradley to be pushing for top honours next season. He will be the highest placed Honda rider this season, albeit in 8-9th place. Everyone above him is on Aprilia or KTM bikes. Been following Bradley's progress for the past 3 years - he has worked very hard to get here, and deserves the recognition. Well done Bradley!!