MALMESBURY’S Danny Kent had a tough start to his return to Moto3 last weekend under the 3,600 floodlights in Qatar as he finished in 13th position, writes Alannah Fellows.

The 20-year-old rider is now with the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo team after a difficult season in Moto2 last year.

Kent had secured some competitive winter testing times and qualified in sixth position, on the second row of the grid, showing the potential to fight for a podium place.

However, in the race itself, Kent struggled to convert these times into race pace.

Despite getting a strong start, the dual Moto3 Grand Prix winner blamed himself for not being aggressive enough in the highly competitive class as he slipped down the order to finish out of the top 10, 11 seconds behind race winner, Australian Jack Miller, who was using the same machinery.

Kent explained: "I am very disappointed with today’s result, because we had a good start but I wasn’t aggressive enough to keep up with the group on the following laps. "Later on, I was clipped by another rider at turn one, ran off-track and lost further ground. It was too difficult to get back, especially as I was riding alone.

"Thankfully this happened at the opening race of the year, and we have a long season ahead. Now we need to analyse things and improve for Austin.”

Danny's next outing is at Austin, Texas on April 13.