Bancaja Aprilia rider Bradley Smith says he is aiming for another podium finish at the Mugello MotoGP 125cc round this weekend to make up for the heartbreak he suffered there last year.

Smith, who lives in Oxfordshire, was leading the race in 2008 until a mechanical problem on the last few laps saw his Polaris World Aprilia slow and he just missed out on a top three - something he is keen to rectify.

"I led the race over the final few laps last year but lost a few positions on the straight because of a problem with my bike and ended up missing out on the podium, even though it was still an incredible race for me," said the teenager.

"The temperature is usually good around this time of year in Italy so hopefully we can have good weather all weekend and a dry race on Sunday. My mechanics are Italian so this is their home race and they'll all be highly motivated, so I want to give my best to score a podium for them.

"As far as the track itself is concerned, I really like the Casanova and Savelli section because it is really fast and you have to have a good line to be quick through it. Mugello is a fantastic circuit, I love it. To compete in the Italian Grand Prix every year is a pleasure. I think you just get a special atmosphere there - the hillsides, the fast corners and the way it is tucked away just give it a magical feeling."