Rain wrecked Bradley Smith's chance of his first ever Grand Prix victory in the 125cc race at the Dutch TT in Assen on Saturday afternoon.

Smith, from Forest Hill, was a comfortable leader of the scheduled 22-lap ninth round of the World Championship when it started to rain on various sections of the legendary 2.830-mile circuit in North Holland.

As the conditions worsened, Smith, who like all other riders was using slick tyres on his Polaris World Aprilia, crashed on lap ten.

The race was immediately stopped with the red flag and the race was re-run over just five laps.

With grid positions determined for the new race by the finishing position of riders on the previous lap before the red flag was shown, Smith was able to start and in pole position.

The new race was always going to be a lottery over such a short distance, but at least the track was dry.

Smith made another lightning start, but was soon involved in an amazing ten-rider battle for the lead.

Despite a massive effort racing into the final chicane, Smith could only finish in fifth place with World Champion Gabor Talmacsi securing his first win of the season in a race in which the first eight riders were separated by less than one second.

"I'm so disappointed because everything was going so well," explained Smith.

"I made a great start and was very comfortable at the front until the rain started to fall on my visor.

"It got worst and down I went and out came the red flag.

"The second race was always going to be tough and I really made a big effort in the final chicane, but in the end I had to settle for fifth.

"At least I'm back among the leaders, but that first win was so, so close.