MONSTER Yamaha Tech 3 rider Bradley Smith got off to a promising start by completing the opening day of practice for tomorrow’s Japanese MotoGP in fifth position.

The 24-year-old, from Oxfordshire, immediately got to grips with his Yamaha YZR-M1 at the demanding stop and go Twin Ring Motegi Circuit in first practice.

As the chequered flag was waved, the British rider sped across the line with a time of 1min 45.888secs, leaving him in fourth and just 0.061secs behind second-placed Andrea Iannone.

In the afternoon session, Smith continued to make adjustments to his set-up and also evaluated the tyre life of the softer rear compound.

In the end, he raced a total of 17 laps and set a personal best of 1.45.250, leaving him in fifth overall while using the harder rear tyre.

Smith will now seek to clinch a strong grid position today as he aims to finish the race in the leading satellite bike position.

Smith said: “Things were very positive for us on track.

“I am very pleased as my time put me in fifth, and I am especially happy as I completed that lap while using the harder rear tyre.

“I am confident that we will have good pace in the race.”