MOTOR CYCLING: Kent roars to first Moto3 win (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tetbury flier Danny Kent wins Japanese Grand Prix

8:59am Sunday 14th October 2012 in Sport

TETBURY’S Danny Kent became the first British rider to win a Moto3 race with a last-gasp victory in Japan on Sunday.

Kent, 18, had qualified on pole position at the Motegi circuit on his KTM but lost the lead to Luis Salom at the first corner.

The teenager was in third place going into the last few laps, before Salom crashed, taking out leader Jonas Folger. Sandro Cortese then also crashed as Kent moved through to take the win.

Kent’s victory was hailed by world champion Casey Stoner who tweeted: “Well done @DannyKent52 you deserve that one, kept us waiting long enough though!!”

Cortese – Kent’s team-mate – recovered to finish sixth and the German remains at the top of the standings, 56 points ahead of Sunday’s runner-up Maverick Vinales. Kent stays in sixth in the championship series.

Kent has recently signed a two-year contract with Tech3 to race in the Moto2 world championship next season.