OXFORDSHIRE’S Bradley Smith was third fastest after the first day of free practice at the British MotoGP at Silverstone today.

The 24-year-old, from Forest Hill, near Oxford, finished the opening session as seventh fastest before really turning on the style in front of his home fans.

The Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider, who earlier this week agreed a new one-year contract, was just 0.193 seconds behind Jorge Lorenzo and 0.160 off Marc Marquez.

Smith is fifth in the overall standings and the top satellite rider, behind only those on better-funded factory bikes.

The race takes place on Sunday.