DANNY KENT'S opening race of the Moto2 GP season did not end as positively as he had hoped under the floodlights in Qatar.

Kent, from Malmesbury, started from sixth place on the grid, the best ever starting position in his Moto2 career, on the strength of some excellent free practice times.

The qualifying sessions had to be scrapped because of torrential rain.

After a solid start, the 23-year-old former Moto3 world champion seemed to have trouble with his braking and went backwards through the field in the second half of the race to finish 13th, two places behind his new team-mate Dominique Aegerter.

He still picked up three points in the championship series.

Kent continues to race for manager Stefan Kiefer, last year it was as part of the Leopard Racing-branded team but this time it is with Kiefer Racing, and he is riding an all-new Suter MMX2 Moto2™ machine.

Kent said: “To be honest, today’s result didn't meet our expectations after we went into the race from sixth position on the grid.

"Before the race, we made a change to the bike and obviously we went in the wrong direction.

"During the opening laps, with a full tank, the situation and handling was still fine. "But when the bike became lighter, I got increasing problems.

"Of course, it wasn’t a big help that several sessions were cancelled during the weekend, which was also the case during the official test last week.

"In addition, it was the very first race with this completely new bike.

"I’m satisfied with the points, but overall a little bit disappointed. The fact is that we must improve in some areas before the next race in Argentina.”