British rider puts Husqvarna in sixth place on the combined timesheet for the first day at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo. Niklas Ajo improves session-by-session to conclude seventeenth.

After 15 years away, Grand Prix motorcycle racing returned to Argentina on Friday. It did so at a new track: Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo. Danny Kent adapted very well on the opening day, making his best start to a weekend of the Grand Prix season with the sixth fastest time. Niklas Ajo also completed a good first day, lowering his times in each session and finishing seventeenth overall.

Danny Kent was patient on his first laps of the Argentinian track. After beginning to learn the best lines in the opening practice session and having adjustments made in the garage, the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider took an important step forward to place amongst the fastest on track. His 1:52.765 put him third and gave him his best practice placing of the season so far. The Briton continued his progress in the afternoon; with six minutes remaining he led the way with a 1:51.283 –eventually enough to put him sixth.

Niklas Ajo was fifteenth with a time of 1:54.035 in the morning. He took that spot on his last attempt after achieving a steady 1:54 pace being one of the riders to put in the most laps. The Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo rider continued to work on the setup of his bike and, despite the low grip levels of the track, lowered his morning time by more than 1.5 seconds -1:52.432.

Tomorrow sees the final free practice session and the third qualifying run of the season. The best grid position for a Husqvarna bike in Moto3 so far is the second row taken by Danny Kent in Qatar.

Results (Combined practice time FP1-FP2)

1. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:50.367
2. Efren Vazquez (Honda) 1:50.630 +0.263
3. Isaac Viñales (KTM) 1:51.164 +0.797
4. Alex Marquez (Honda) 1:51.234 +0.867
5. Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.270 +0.903
6. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) 1:51.283 +0.916
17. Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) 1’52.432 +2.065

Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“Up to now this was our best Friday of the season. My feeling with the bike is good and our position was better than we have had in previous races. I feel confident, but there are some adjustments that we will change again tomorrow. I am happy, because we have started the weekend on the right line and we need to continue like this in order to have a good race on Sunday.”

Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“It was a difficult day, as it was our first time riding at this track and we didn’t feel at all comfortable riding the bike. The feeling isn’t too bad and the bike is working well, but I had problems riding. We will try to solve this for tomorrow and I’m sure things will go better for us.”