British Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider sets third fastest time on first day of practice for the German Grand Prix. Gabriel Rodrigo -replacing Niklas Ajo- ends day 29th despite a crash.

As showed in the Netherlands, Danny Kent is improving his feeling with the Husqvarna and closing in on the frontrunners with each passing day. Two weeks ago he managed to get into the fight for fourth place, and today the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider finished third after the first two free practices for the German Grand Prix. Sharing a garage with him was Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo rider Gabriel Rodrigo, who was 29th on his Sachsenring debut despite missing the last 3 minutes of the day due to a crash.

Following the momentum of the last Grand Prix, Danny Kent was one of the fastest riders in Moto3 today. After completing 20 laps, the Briton was sixth in the first session, with a time of 1:28.244. Work with his team allowed him to improve by over half a second in the second session, which he led at various times and finished with 1:27.664 best lap, 0.362s off fastest rider Jack Miller.

Onboard Niklas Ajo’s Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo machine today was Gabriel Rodrigo. On the short but twisty track, the Spanish rider rode for the first time at the German venue. After a first session in which he tried to adapt to the circuit, the bike and team, he lay thirty-third with a time of 1:30.951. Rodrigo took an important step forward in the second session, and on his last stint he went round faster than his morning best for six consecutive laps.  However, a collision with a rival at Turn 1 ended his day early and he placed twenty-eighth, with a 1:29.609 time.

The last free practice session will be held tomorrow from 9.00am. Qualifying starts at 12:35pm.

Results (Combined practice time FP1-FP2)
1. Jack  Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1.27.302
2. Alexis Masbou (Honda) 1:27.557 +0.255
3. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) 1:27.664 +0.362
4. Efren Vazquez (Honda) 1:27.721 +0.419
5. Niccolo Antonelli (KTM) 1:27.906 +0.604
29. Gabriel Rodrigo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) 1:29.609 +2.307

Danny Kent >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“It was the best start to a weekend so far this year. We took a step forward at Assen and I think today we took another here at the Sachsenring. Now I enjoy riding the bike because I have a good feeling with it. Tomorrow we will try to make some changes to take another step forward, but I’m very happy with how the day went today. I felt much more comfortable with the bike; everything was easier. I’ve been training hard these past few days, trying to improve.

The improvement at Assen was important, but today was only free practice, so we can’t afford to be too happy. We have to keep up the good work and try to get a good result on Sunday. There are not many things that we can try to improve now. We do not have any big problems anymore. We have to continue working with the medium tyre because it is what we will use in the race, and we must try to make it last the full distance.”

Gabriel Rodrigo >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“The bike is pretty similar to mine, although there is a little difference with the setup. I’m very happy with how the team work. I like the track a lot and it is very fun, but very tricky the first time out because it is a very technical circuit. There are many places where you almost do not see the way to turn, and it is difficult to ride fast. We are on the right path though. Tomorrow I’m sure we will do better and have a good qualifying session.

I find the second sector tough because there is a part that is a chicane where nothing is visible and it is a bit tricky. Danny Kent was very fast and we will compare the telemetry to see where we made mistakes and fix them tomorrow. The crash was at Turn 1. Kornfeil and I entered together and when he passed me I had to lift the bike, I think to avoid another rider. These things happen.”