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Page last updated at 17:45 GMT, Thursday, 5 February 2009

Smith starts new season testing

Bradley Smith
Smith is optimistic he can claim a maiden GP win in 2009

Oxfordshire teenager Bradley Smith has begun testing with his new team in Spain in preparation for this year's 125cc GP World Championship.

Smith, 18, riding the Bancaja Aspar Aprilia, was second fastest behind new team-mate Julian Simon in Jerez and third fastest in Valencia.

"It was good to get some laps in at Valencia although most of our work was done in Jerez," said Smith.

The first race of the season is in Qatar in March.

Smith added: "We've started working on a set-up that is completely new and already it seems safer, with more room to adjust to variables."

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