IT WAS another long hard weekend for both me and the Red Bull Husqvarna team in the seventh round of the Moto3 World Championships – the Catalan GP – on the outskirts of Barcelona, writes Danny Kent.

My final qualifying time on the Montmelo circuit was 0.8 seconds slower than I managed in practice.

That left me with a time of 1:53.298 and a qualifying position of only 19th place.

The result I gained in the practice session would have put me ninth on the grid, so I was a bit disappointed with my final time.

During the race itself, I was in a group battling for 10th place, but in the last five laps my rear tyre lost a lot of grip.

That resulted in being unable to really fight for my place and stay with the top 10 riders.

So I dropped down the order and crossed the line in 17th place, missing out on championship points for the first time this season.

On the bright side, there are still 11 races left in the year, so there are plenty of opportunities to gain those points back.

It’s certainly not where I want to be finishing, but I just need to keep working hard to get as many points from those races as possible to get on the top of that podium and closer to the championship by the end of the campaign.

I know I have what it takes to be up there.

Looking to the next event at Assen in the Netherlands, I’m working with my trainer trying to improve my fitness so I can go to the next race physically and mentally stronger. I know this will help me to get closer to the front and hopefully on to the podium.

I have a great history at Assen; I gained my first podium there so I am hopeful that in the next race I can perform to my best.

I’m feeling positive that the team will come back fighting in Holland – we are ready for a win.