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British 125cc World Championship racer Bradley Smith reveals how he failed his driving test - for driving too slowly.

What is the biggest crash you've been involved in?

Last year in Barcelona I highsided it, and went with the bike all the way to the wall. Not the nicest crash in the world, but I was all right afterwards.

What's the best way to gesture at another rider while still on the bike?

There's a picture of me from Assen where I give one of the riders a good look over my shoulder. You don't need to start waving your hands all over the place like the Italian riders. A good stare does the job.

Got your driving licence yet? What about a car?

Yes, I do. I have a Fiord Fiesta, 1.4 turbo diesel. I try to be as economical as possible. It took me three attempts to pass my test. I put it down to taking it outside my local area. On the first one the speed limit was 40 in a built-up area, where you'd expect it to be 30 - he failed me on driving too slow! He asked me what I do and I told him I am a bike mechanic - I didn't want him to be prejudiced against me for a being a racer!

Learnt to cook yet? What's your speciality?

I cook all my own food. I'm not obsessive with it but I'm quite independent and enjoy it when I can give my mum the meal for the day. With the training it's basic stuff: rice or pasta with chicken and in the evening salad.

What's on your iPod?

Various stuff. I'm more fond of listening to the radio. When you're travelling around you miss English music so it's nice to stick on the radio and get a mix of stuff when you're home.

Who or what really grinds your gears?

Losing. And not fulfilling my potential, riding to the best of my ability.

What is the worst place you've ever visited?

The outskirts of China. It's bad that we're riding on this multi-million-pound circuit and the people there are struggling to find enough to eat at night.

Which opponent do you most enjoy beating?

Everybody! But also defeating my own expectations.

What was your most extravagant purchase?

Probably the car! It was second hand, about £4,500. I'm not tight with money but I only buy stuff when I need it. A lot of my money goes towards my training, trainers, heart-rate monitors and the like. I'm hoping to put a deposit down on a house in the next couple of years.

What song would you sing at karaoke?

Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire. It makes me laugh every time I hear it.

If your house was on fire, what possession would you save first?

My helmets and my trophies. If you lost those sort of things you'd be devastated.

Any circuits in the world you'd like to buy then tear up?

Nah, all the world's circuits are incredible places.

Any you'd like to buy and live beside, so you can race it whenever you want?

It'd probably be Mugello. The track's amazing and I love the place. I'd be a Mugello resident any day.

What one thing would you change about motorcycle racing?

How finicky it is. You have one bad day and things are turned on their head. And more riders to be given a chance. Plus, there are riders in the 125s who have to pay a lot of money to race and I think when you get to MotoGP, world championship level, the rides should be free.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport