Danny Kent joins Tech 3 Moto2 squad

British teenager Danny Kent has signed a two-year deal to join the Tech 3 Racing squad in next year’s Moto2 world championship.

The 18-year-old will partner French rider Louis Rossi, who confirmed a deal with Tech 3 last week ahead of the flyaway triple-header in Japan, Malaysia and Australia.

Kent has enjoyed a promising 2012 campaign in the Red Bull KTM Moto3 squad and he scored his career first podium when he finished third in a thrilling race at Assen in Holland back in June.

He has also started from the front row in three races and his signing means he joins a long list of British talent to work with Herve Poncharal’s French-based Tech 3 squad in Moto2 and MotoGP, including Cal Crutchlow, James Toseland, Bradley Smith and James Ellison.

Kent said: “I am delighted to be joining the Tech 3 Racing Moto2 Team for 2013 and this is a great opportunity for me to take my career to the next level. I am under no illusions how difficult racing in the Moto2 class is going to be, but I can’t think of a better team to join than Tech 3 Racing to help me learn.

“Herve Poncharal is somebody I have a lot of respect for and the team is very professional and I had no hesitation in agreeing to sign when I knew how much they wanted me.

“I feel ready to make this step because my physical size is not ideal for the Moto3 class, and I can’t wait to start learning and understanding the Mistral 610 machine.

“The bike has been close to the podium this season, which gives me a lot of confidence in its potential.

“I want to finish my time in Moto3 with some strong results in the last four races before putting all my focus and energy into preparing for this new adventure with the Tech 3 Racing Team.”

Tech 3 boss Poncharal confirmed he had been monitoring Kent’s progress closely for a long time and he said: “Danny is a rider I have admired for a long time and right from the moment we started considering our Moto2 plans for 2013, he was right at the top of the list of candidates.

“I have no doubt he is a rider with a very big future and I am really looking forward to working with Danny and helping him adapt to the very competitive Moto2 category.

“He has demonstrated numerous times this season his potential with some outstanding performances in the new Moto3 class, including at the last race in Aragon when he was leading and fighting for the podium for the whole race.

“With Danny and Louis we have shown our commitment to developing young talent and I am convinced we have put together the strongest line-up possible and 2013 will be a successful one for Tech 3 Racing.”