Scott Redding fourth as Moto2 testing commences

British rider Scott Redding enjoyed a positive start to the 2013 Moto2 winter testing campaign by setting the fourth fastest time behind Spanish trio Nicolas Terol, Julian Simon and Pol Espargaro in Valencia yesterday.

The Marc VDS Racing rider set a personal best lap of 1.36.337 while assessing the new Kalex frame to finish just 0.231s behind pre-season title favourite Espargaro in third and only 0.411s off Terol’s fastest pace.

Spanish-based Brit Kyle Smith finished 27th with a best time of 1.39.076, which put him one place ahead of rookie Danny Kent on the Mistral 610 Tech 3 Racing machine.

Kent, who won two out of the last four races in the Moto3 world championship last season, ended the opening day with a best time of 1.39.184.

Reigning Moto3 world champion Sandro Cortese was 24th fastest with a best time of 1.38.722