Danny Kent: Jerez test good gauge for early season prospects

British teenager Danny Kent believes this week’s final Moto3 test at the Jerez track in Spain will give a clear indication of who is going to be competitive in the early part of the inaugural 250cc four-stroke class in 2012.

The Red Bull KTM rider finished the opening day with the third quickest time, his quickest time of 1.48.074 leaving him 0.660s adrift of pacesetter Romano Fenati.

With air temperatures hitting over 20 degrees on a glorious day in Jerez, the hotter conditions meant Kent was 0.9s slower than his best pace when he dominated the previous Jerez test last month.

But with most of the Moto3 field now using official engines, Kent reckons by the end of the three-day session on Wednesday, the potential front-runners in the 125cc two-stroke replacement category will be apparent.

He told MCN: “At the last test not everybody had their official engine, so this test at the end of the three days we will see how the season is going to pan out. It is looking good for me. I know I’ve got a really good package with the KTM but I can’t let it go to my head.

“I think from the last test when I fastest on all three days I just need to relax again. I didn’t expect to just carry on that form but obviously I was still on a pretty big high, so I need to make sure I’m fully concentrated.”

Kent is hoping to evaluate new engine parts on his KTM machine for the remainder of the test in a bid to improve acceleration.

He said: “Today was more about getting back up to speed and tomorrow and Wednesday is when we’ll be looking at the lap time. Hopefully I’ll have some new parts because compared to the Honda we need a little bit more acceleration.

“But the KTM is really strong in other areas so I’m happy that we are going to be competitive. But we have got to wait until the end of the test and then Qatar to see what real potential everybody has.”