Scott Redding 11th at start of final 2013 test

Scott Redding finished just outside of the top 10 on the opening afternoon of the final Moto2 test session at the Jerez track in Spain earlier today.

The Marc VDS Racing rider clocked a best time of 1.44.062 on his Kalex machine to finish just over 0.3s from the top five.

Less than a second split the top 13 on an opening afternoon that saw 2010 Moto2 world champion Toni Elias break Pol Espargaro’s domination of the pre-season campaign to head the timesheets with a best lap of 1.43.365.

That put Elias only 0.095s clear of fellow Spaniard Esteve Rabat, with red-hot title favourite Espargaro a further 0.227s places adrift in third.

Jerez specialist Takaaki Nakagami was fourth with Julian Simon and Redding’s teammate Mika Kallio completing the top six.

Tech 3 Racing Team rider Danny Kent was 19th quickest with a best time of 1.44.894 that put him 1.529s off the best pace.

Kent finished ahead of reigning Moto3 world champion Sandro Cortese as the former Red Bull KTM Moto3 teammates continue the tough challenge of adapting to the more powerful and heavier Moto2 machinery.

British rider Kyle Smith was 24th fastest with a personal best time of 1.45.314.
Today’s session was the first time this winter that the entire field has tested using the official spec-Honda 600cc motor that will be raced when the new season kicks off in Qatar on April 7.