Bradley Smith of the Centre for Competitive Politics, a pro-speech group, says such fears are exaggerated.

ECONOMIST: Free speech and campaign cash

The Spaniard is ahead of British rider Bradley Smith and Italy's Andrea Iannone, who leads the championship.

CNN: Lorenzo claims MotoGP pole in Spain

In qualifying for the 125cc race, Bradley Smith came second behind championship leader Julian Simon, with Marc Marquez in third place.

BBC: Rossi leaves it late to take pole

In the 125cc category, Britain's Bradley Smith took third place behind Spanish winner Pol Espargaro and second-placed Sandro Cortese of Germany.

BBC: Lorenzo wins to reduce Rossi lead

The analyst, Bradley Smith, fretted that "a number" of finite deals had been unwound--even though Fairfax had reported the moves six months earlier.

FORBES: When Gray Becomes Black-and-White

Basically, the title will be his should he finish ahead of Bradley Smith and 14th or higher if Nico Terol features in the top four.

BBC: Matt Roberts' MotoGP column

With no Britons competing in the top class this season, the main focus of interest for British fans will be the 125cc class, where 19-year-old Bradley Smith starts the season as favourite for the title, having finished runner-up last season.

BBC: Jorge Lorenzo has fitness doubts ahead of Qatar MotoGP

Another Spanish rider, Alvaro Bautista, was seventh for Honda Gresini while America's 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden was eighth on the second Ducati ahead of British rookie Bradley Smith on the other Tech 3 and Germany's Stefan Bradl on an LCR Honda.

CNN: Rookie Marquez outshines MotoGP champion Lorenzo in Qatar