MALMESBURY'S Danny Kent could not convert a pole position on the grid to race victory at the Japanese Moto3 Grand Prix but enjoyed another good weekend.

Kent, who won here two years ago, clearly likes the Motegi circuit and he was the clear leader in qualifying.

The 20-year-old also led in the early stages of the race itself but admitted that rider error prevented him from taking a higher placing than sixth.

Getting a strong start off the line Kent was able to pull away from the pack in the opening laps.

But he slipped back to sixth by the 12th lap of 20, although remaining in touch with the front group.

Kent forced his way into second place on the penultimate lap and was in a strong position to repeat his success of 2012.

However, mistakes from Kent in the final few corners led to him crossing ng the line in sixth.

He explained: "We started the race well leading for the first four laps.

"It was a very good race up until turn 11 of the last lap.

"I had been trying to conserve my tyres for the last two laps. On the last lap, I passed four riders and regained a good position.

"On the straight I tried to overtake Jack (Miller) but he had the inside and I clipped the grass. "Then I saw Alex (Marquez, the eventual winner) on the outside and I tried to close the door on him, but I was too far inside. I could neither brake well, nor turn the bike in. It was a mistake on my part.

"We must bear in mind that the weekend has been very positive and we have been very strong. I hope that in Australia we can repeat this with another good weekend.”