Bradley Smith, 17, continued his brilliant pre-season by leading the way after three days of 125cc World Championship testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

The Oxford rider lapped the 2.478 mile circuit, which is the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix next month, in one minute 47.820s to lead grand prix winner Sergio Gadea by just over one tenth of a second.

Smith, who is the youngest British rider ever to stand on a grand prix podium after finishing third in the French 125 Grand Prix last season, joined the Polaris World Aprilia team at the start of the season and has been in sensational form.

"It was difficult here because the first two days the rain and wind meant we could not go fast and test how we wanted," said Smith, who was fastest in the first Jerez test last month and second in Valencia a week later.

"This week, the conditions were much better and we are really happy with the times. However, we will not get carried away, but I now can't wait for that first grand prix of the year in Qatar in two weeks' time."

Smith heads for Qatar next week and the special night test for all riders before the opening race on March 9.