MOTOR CYCLING: Fifth place for Danny Kent at Mugello (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Another fine Moto3 ride for Tetbury racer

11:09am Monday 16th July 2012 in Sport

MOTO3 rising star Danny Kent had a positive weekend at Mugello, finishing in fifth place in the Italian Grand Prix after his German disappointment the previous Sunday, writes Alannah Fellows.

The Tetbury rider showed plenty of pace all weekend, finishing free practise in second position and then fifth in qualifying on Saturday to secure a place on the middle of the second row in the scorching conditions.

After an early scare when he was almost taken out on lap two by the crashing Louis Rossi, Red Bull Ajo Motorsport rider Kent fought through the pack and led the race with nine laps to go.

However, gearbox problems on his KTM machine meant he could not hold his place.

A trio of Maverick Viñales, local favourite Romano Fenati and Sandro Cortese broke clear, with Kent in a small group fighting it out for fourth place.

Spaniard Viñales held on to win by a mere two-hundredths of a second, with Fenati and Cortese completing the podium.

Cortese still retains the championship lead, although Viñales has now cut it to nine points.

Kent picked up fifth place, narrowly behind Niccolò Antonelli. The pair were just five seconds behind the winner.

The Moto3 class now has a five-week summer break after reaching the halfway point of the season, and will return in the USA at Indianapolis.