Danny Kent claims front row start in Indianapolis

British rider Danny Kent came within 0.083s of claiming a maiden Moto3 pole position at the end of a crash strewn qualifying session at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway today.

The Red Bull KTM rider set a best time of 1.48.628 to finish second behind German team-mate Sandro Cortese in a session that was twice red flagged following crashes for Hector Faubel and Alex Marquez at the final corner.

Kent’s best time was only 0.083s behind world championship leader Cortese and he will start tomorrow’s 23-lap encounter from second place on the grid for third time in the last four races.

Cortese’s best pace of 1.48.514 secured him his fifth pole position of the 2012 campaign.

Kent was 0.015s faster than title contender Maverick Vinales but had it not been for a red flag coming with 23 seconds remaining he might have been bumped back to third.

Spaniard Efren Vazquez was on course to move up from seventh to pole position after he went through the first three timed sectors with the fastest splits of the session.

But when Marquez crashed heavily exiting the final corner the red flags came out to thwart his bid for pole.

Vazquez’s frustration was clear for all to see as he repeatedly punched the air having understood he was on a lap fast enough to claim his first pole position of the season.

British rider Danny Webb will start from 20th on the grid after he was one of several crashers in an incident-packed session. He set a best time of 1.50.716 but crashed heavily at Turn 4.

Spaniard Faubel has been taken to hospital in Indianapolis for further checks on chest and back injuries after he suffered a vicious high-side at the final corner in the early stages of the session.