British MotoGP, Donington Park
Date: 25-26 July
Saturday 25 July: Qualifying: 1250-1600, BBC Red Button/online
Sunday 26 July: 125cc and 250cc races: 1220-1435, BBC Red Button/online
Race live: 1500-1630, BBC One/online, commentary on Radio Five Live
; MotoGP Extra, 1630-1700, BBC Red Button/online

Smith will be eager to impress the home fans at Donington

Bradley Smith will start Sunday's British 125cc Grand Prix from pole after setting the fastest qualifying time for the second time this year.

The Oxfordshire 18-year-old's display at Donington was the perfect response to failing to score any points last time out in Germany.

Smith set a time of one minute 37.442 seconds, ahead of Marc Marquez.

Championship leader Julian Simon, who is 30.5 points ahead of third-placed Smith, qualified third fastest.

Smith has already won two races this season, in Italy and Spain, and would love to emulate fellow Briton Scott Redding, who won at Donington last year, as he attempts to close the gap on Simon in the race for the world title.

Gloucestershire rider Redding was 11th fastest in qualifying this year, with Kent's Danny Webb in 14th place.

"To get pole was great," said Smith afterwards.

"In the morning it looked like we'd struggle, I didn't have any feeling, I was back in 12th and thought maybe it would be a home grand prix to forget," he said.

"But the mechanics pulled together a great bike, and straight away it felt good.

"It was scary on the last lap, and there were a few moments but I was glad to see pole. Obviously there's some added pressure at home, but starting first with no-one in front is easier, I've just got to concentrate for the first five laps and see what unfolds."

In qualifying for the 250cc Grand Prix, Spain's Hector Barbera claimed his third pole position in four races, just ahead of Marco Simoncelli, with championship leader Hiroshi Aoyama in third place.

British 125cc Grand Prix qualifying result:

1 B Smith (GB) Aprilia 1min 37.442secs
2 M Marquez (Sp) KTM 1:37.573
3 J Simon (Spn) Aprilia 1:37.749

Selected others:
11 S Redding (GB) Aprilia 1:38.501
14 D Webb (GB) Aprilia 1:38.570

British 250cc Grand Prix qualifying result:

1 H Barbera (Spn) Aprilia 1min 31.802secs
2 M Simoncelli (Ita) Gilera 1:31.894
3 H Aoyama (Jpn) Honda 1:32.055

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