MONSTER Yamaha Tech3’s Bradley Smith took a huge gamble in Sunday’s MotoGP race in San Marino and was rewarded with a podium position.

The young Brit started form the second row on the grid, but as the Warm Up lap began rain started to fall moments before the start of the 28-lap race.

The weather deteriorated after the lights went out and many riders changed to their wet setup bikes in the first quarter of the race.

Smith finished the opening lap in 6th and decided to remain on track on slick tyres in the wet whilst every other rider pitted included the likes of Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez.

Riding the YZR-M1, Smith dropped to 21st on the 11th lap as he tip-toed round the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli as the rain stopped falling and the track started to dry quickly.

The 24-year-old carved his way through the field of MotoGP riders who were now struggling on wet tyres on a quickly drying track. Smith found himself in 9th place with ten laps to go – the rest of the field changed back to their dry bikes.

Smith’s lap speed decreased and on lap 20 he was up into a podium position and then up to second – his career best MotoGP result.

 “I am thrilled with this finish as I feel that I earned it today even though it was a big gamble!,” explained Smith.

“My decision to stay out was initially because I missed the lap when Jorge and Vale pitted so I carried on and I believed that the rain had slowed down slightly.

“At this point, I already had lost a lot of time, therefore I thought it would be best to wait a few laps and see what happens and when it stopped I knew the gamble could work as I realised that they might have to pit twice.

“Furthermore, I kept saying to myself that luck favours the brave which motivated me even further and here I am! My race position kept going up and to finally come home in 2nd is very special.”

After a second place finish, Smith has now moved back up to 5th in the championship standings ahead of Aragon on the 27th September.