Oxfordshire's Bradley Smith had to settle for fifth place at the Monster Energy French Grand Prix at Le Mans yesterday.

Smith looked set for his first podium finish of the season, but on the very last bend of the 125cc race was knocked back to fifth in a frantic finish involving Marc Márquez, Efrén Vázquez , and Sandro Cortese.

After Smith had been in the podium slot for most of the race, Márquez sneaked past him on the final lap, and despite the Briton’s attempts to claim the spot, in touching fairings with Marquez, Vázquez squeezed through his off-line bike for fourth.