A record Malaysian Grand Prix crowd witnessed Tech 3 Racing Team rider Danny Kent equal his career best Moto2 World Championship result today in a restarted race at the spectacular Sepang International Circuit.
The British rider claimed a fantastic 12th position in a battle that was shortened from the original 19-lap distance to 12 laps following a multi-rider first lap accident that gave Race Direction no option but to halt proceedings.
Once the action got underway again in physically demanding heat that saw air temperatures nudge over the 30 degree mark, Kent made a brilliant start from 16th to fight his way to the brink of the top 10 on the opening lap.
He dropped back to his starting position but then mounted a superb counter attack that thrust him back to the head of an exciting five-rider tussle involving former Moto3 adversary Sandro Cortese, Anthony West, Ricky Cardus and Marcel Schrotter.
Kent remained ice cool under pressure and rode an immaculate final few laps to keep the group behind him to score points in successive races for the first time on the French designed and built Mistral 610 machine.
An aggressive start was also pivotal in helping Louis Rossi enjoy one of his best performances in the second half of the 2013 Moto2 World Championship.
Starting from 22nd, the French rider was able to set a fast and consistent rhythm to move quickly inside the top 20. He continued to move forward in the rankings and climbed into 17th, but just ran out of time in his bid to make a pass on home crowd favourite Hafizh Syahrin.
Today’s race was the third race in succession that Rossi has finished inside the top 20 and he is looking to mount a strong challenge for the points scoring places next weekend at the magnificent Phillip Island track in Australia.
Danny Kent 12th – 12 points:
“I am really happy to get back in the points and it was good to get a better position than Sandro because he has been my benchmark all season after we moved up together from Moto3. It was a really good battle with a strong group behind me and I am content that I kept my pace consistent without giving anybody the chance to take 12th off me. I think I could have pulled away from the pack but all weekend I’ve been having some issue with brake fade and it happened again in the race, so I had to change my style and it took me a few laps to adapt. But I am pleased and I enjoyed being in a fight and I can look forward to another strong race in Australia, which is a track I like.”
Louis Rossi 17th – 3 points:
“I am happy to have had another strong ride but part of me is also a bit disappointed because I think I could have scored some points. Unfortunately I made a couple of small mistakes in the first laps and I lost contact with the group. I am pleased with how I came back strongly and I kept fighting right to the end. I am close to the points again like in the last couple of races, so now I have to focus on making another step to ensure I finish inside the points at Phillip Island.”
Tech 3 Racing Press Release
