13.04.12Kent takes eighth place at the opening Grand Prix at Qatar

Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Danny Kent showed promise as he finished eighth at the opening of the Moto3 Championship in Qatar on Sunday 9 April.

The 18-year-old had a weekend of mechanical problems– bike problems during first practice meant that Danny missed valuable time out on the circuit. The new one-bike rule meant that little track time was available for Kent to improve the settings on his KTM machine.

The set-up was altered ahead of the race, with the addition of an H tyre at the front. On the opening laps of the race, Kent didn’t push too hard, but as the race progressed his performance improved.

He said: ‘The result wasn’t great but it’s a long year and we just need to be consistent. We are going to Jerez next where we know we’ve got a strong bike and a positive mindset’.

Team Manager Aki Ajo said: “The qualifying took pretty much a waiting turn for Kent but he has a lot of potential.”

Kent’s team mate, Cotese claimed the first KTM podium in Qatar, coming third in the historic debut Moto3 championship. With riders on KTM-driven bikes taking five of the top 10 places, Qatar was a promising start and a sign of things to come. Danny’s next outing will be the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez on 29 April.