Top ten results for Husqvarna riders
27/04/2014Danny Kent successfully completed the Red Bull Grand Prix of Argentina in ninth place for their first visit to the South American track.
The Husqvarna duo had a satisfying end to the Grand Prix at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo and took the factory’s best combined results so far in the Moto3 World Championship. Niklas Ajo crossed the line in eighth place, followed by Danny Kent in ninth. This was the Finn’s best finish of the season and the Briton’s second consecutive top ten.
The Husqvarna riders completed the first few laps in good standing, riding within the large lead group of about 15 riders. Kent paced toward the front of the pack with Niklas further back, with both hanging onto the lead group for the first third of the race.
In the following laps, the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider found himself in a second group just ahead of the Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo rider. With four laps remaining, the duo found themselves fighting each other for eight place. Arriving nearly together at the finish line, Niklas advanced just ahead of Kent by less than one tenth to finish in eighth position.
In the overall Moto3 standings Danny Kent is now eight with 18 points, while Niklas Ajo sits in fourteenth with 10 points. Husqvarna is now third in the standings. This round in Argentina completes the first overseas dates on the calendar and in just one short week the first European date will take place at the Circuito de Jerez.
Results – Race
1. Romano Fenati (KTM) 38:34.451
2. Alex Marquez (Honda) +0.099
3. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.540
4. Livio Loi (Kalex KTM) +0.624
5. Alex Rins (Honda) +5.530
8. Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) +14.985
9. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) +15.043
Moto3 World Championship Standing 2014
1. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 66 points
2. Romano Fenati (KTM) 49 points
3. Efren Vazquez (Honda) 42 points
4. Alex Marquez (Honda) 40 points
5. Alex Rins (Honda) 35 points
8. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) 18 points
14. Niklas Ajo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) 10 points
Danny Kent >> Audio (solely for radio use)
“We had a good start; I put myself in the lead group and was going at the pace of the qualifying session. After the first ten laps, the front tire was very worn and I almost crashed several times. On the last lap I overtook my teammate, but after his final move, I finished ninth. I’m happy because in general this weekend we took an important step forward in free practice and in the qualifying session. Also in the set up for the race. All we need to analyze what happened with the front tyre and keep improving for Jerez.”
Niklas Ajo >> Audio (solely for radio use)
“Today’s race was pretty good, as we were up with the front group for most of the race until the front tyre went off. That meant that I needed to slow down a little as I was sliding around. We had a few problems all weekend and we don’t know if this is down to my style, the bike or something else. We need to find the reason for this. I feel bad for Danny Kent, because of what happened on the final corner, but I think that it was a racing incident. I am happy that Danny was able to finish the race, and now we are looking ahead to Jerez.”