| The motorcycle GP racing season is well underway | | | | The 2007 season saw Bradley Smith become the |
| but as a British racing fan what are our interests in | | | | youngest ever British rider to finish on a motorcycle |
| the 2008 season? | | | | grand prix podium when he finished third in the |
| The obvious one is James Toseland, two time (and | | | | French 125cc Grand Prix at Le Mans. Next year |
| current) World Superbike champion, Toseland has | | | | Bradley will ride for the Spanish based Polaris World |
| made the step up to MotoGP with the satellite Tech | | | | Aprilia team that won four grands prix in the 2007 |
| 3 Yamaha team. Early season indications have been | | | | season. |
| positive for Toseland as he learns the new bike and | | | | Early on in the 2008 season Bradley has shown his |
| a lot of new tracks. What about the support classes? | | | | talent and pace by picking up a number of pole |
| If we were looking at Spanish or Italian riders we | | | | position's in qualifying, unfortunately however he has |
| would have dozens to discuss here, however for the | | | | been able to convert those into race wins as |
| 2008 season there are 4 British riders in the entry | | | | technical problems and crashes have ended his races |
| lists for the 250cc and 125cc GP championships. | | | | early. |
| Eugene Laverty | | | | Daniel Webb |
| Laverty, from Northern Ireland, will be competing in | | | | 2007 saw Daniel Webb end the season in 26th place |
| his second season in the 250cc championship in 2008. | | | | with 3 points to his name. For 2008 Daniel will be |
| Laverty ended the 2007 season in 25th place with 6 | | | | racing on an Aprilia for the Dutch based Arie Molenaar |
| points to his name on the LCR Honda, ran by former | | | | Racing team where he will be joined by Stevie |
| racer Lucio Cecchinello. | | | | Bonsey and Hugo Van Den Bergh. |
| For the 2008 season he has moved to the much | | | | The move to Aprilia should, hopefully give Webb a |
| more competitive Blusens Aprilia team, and will be | | | | more competitive bike and allow him to improve on |
| hoping for much better results. | | | | his 2007 finish. |
| Eugene Laverty showcased his talents early on in the | | | | Scott Redding |
| British Supersport Championship in 2006, prior to | | | | Fourteen-year-old Gloucestershire schoolboy Scott |
| moving to the 250cc GP championship. Alongside Cal | | | | Redding clinched a three-year deal with the |
| Crutchlow and Tom Sykes (both of whom will be | | | | Spanish-based BQR Blusens Aprilia world championship |
| competing for the British Superbikes championship in | | | | team, and will begin his MotoGP career in 2008. |
| 2008), his team mate that year in the Red Bull Honda | | | | Scott will become the team's number one rider in the |
| team was Hannspree Ten Kate rider Jonathan Rea. | | | | 2008 and 2009 MotoGP 125cc World Championship |
| Bradley Smith | | | | and has an option on the third year to progress to |
| Bradley Smith is a young and extremely talented | | | | the MotoGP 250 class. |
| racer from Oxfordshire, who finished 10th last season | | | | Tipped for big things, Scott Redding has shown |
| in the 125cc championship for the Repsol Honda | | | | glimpses of his talent so far in 2008 and will be one |
| team. | | | | to watch. |