Danny Kent hopes to take a third podium of the year in Japan, whist Niklas Ajo will try to get back into the points.

The MotoGP World Championship leaves Europe behind until the final round of the season at Valencia, which will be held in a month’s time. The fifteenth round of the Moto3 series will be held at the Japanese circuit of Motegi, on the first of three stops on the flyway tour. Danny Kent and Niklas Ajo hope to take positive results this weekend, at a track which holds great memories for the Briton.

Motegi is a special track for Danny Kent. The Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider took his first victory there in 2012, starting from pole position. With this great history behind him and after his third place in Aragon, the Briton is after another podium finish and an ascent up the standings –where he is currently ninth with 93 points.

The last Grand Prix was not a good one for Niklas Ajo, who had started the free practice sessions with promise but was unfortunate in qualifying and the race. The Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo rider wants to bounce back from the disappointment at MotorLand Aragon and pick up points again. Last year at Motegi he achieved his best result ever at the track –8th place–, and had his second best performance of 2013.

The Japanese Grand Prix will be the first of three consecutive weekends of racing. The first free practice session for Moto3 will be held on Friday from 9:00am local time, with the race scheduled for Sunday at 11:00am.

Circuit information – Motegi
Length: 4.801 m / 2.983 miles
Width: 15 m
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 762 m / 0.473 miles
Constructed: 1997
Modified: 1997

Danny Kent,
“I have very fond memories of Japan, as it was where I got my first Grand Prix win in 2012. This is a track I like a lot and is great to go there having achieved my second podium of this season. Expectations will be high, so hopefully we will have a good weekend. The flyaways are a nice time of year as we approach the end of the season. In addition, Japan, Malaysia and Australia are three wonderful countries with interesting tracks, where I have enjoyed myself.”

Niklas Ajo,
“I can’t wait for this Grand Prix, as the last two races have not been so good. I sincerely believe that we have had some very bad luck. We have to look ahead and work as hard as possible to try to reach a position that we deserve in the race. Motegi is a nice track that I like a lot, but it’s a little different to MotorLand. I hope to adapt well from the start of the weekend.”