Treacherous conditions and a costly mistake denied 20-year-old Moto2 rider Bradley Smith a podium in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
The Oxford rider eventually finished 18th, despite challenging early on for a top three slot after qualifying seventh on the grid.
A strong start off the line boosted Smith to third where he mounted a strong challenge for the podium in the early stages of the 25-lap race.
The youngster was briefly bumped back down to sixth, but two fine passes on lap seven moved him back into fourth.
But in a bid to catch teammate Mike di Meglio in third he ran off track and dropped back to 28th.
He displayed tenacity and determination, though, to launch an impressive fightback and eventually finished 18th.
After the race, Smith said: “Obviously, today was pretty disappointing and not what I hoped for.
“I think the bike was unsettled a little bit by the curbs and just went sideways.
“I was fourth at the time and feeling really confident of getting a podium, so to be not even in the points is difficult to accept.
“At the moment, we don't seem to be able to catch a break and we've had some bad luck.”
Smith will next be in action at the weekend in Sepang, Malaysia.
