WHEN the rain came to Spain last week, Tetbury’s motorcycling prodigy Danny Kent began to shine, writes Alannah Fellows.

Kent enjoyed a successful second test of 2013 aboard his Tech3 Moto2 machine last week in Jerez.

The 19-year-old has been getting used to his new Mistral 610 machine and finishing further down the timing sheets than he would like. But once rain hit the Andalucian circuit, Kent secured the third fastest time of the day, just 0.12 seconds off compatriot Scott Redding’s time.

Danny said: “Today’s not gone too badly – we’re just trying to learn as much as possible.

“We haven’t had much track time on the Moto2, so we’re doing as many laps as we can and trying to find a good setting. It’s a good feeling to be riding a Moto2 bike.

“It’s not going 100 per cent but it’s okay and that’s all part of it. There’s a good communication with the team and we’re trying to learn everything to enable us to get a good feeling with the bike.

“We’ve got a few things to change, every time I get on we are finding out different things.

“It’s going to be a hard year, there are a lot of riders out there with a lot of experience, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

The two-time Moto3 race winner finished the test in 25th position overall, with the Spaniard Pol Espargaro topping the timing sheets. The season kicks off in six weeks’ time in Qatar.