Factory Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Danny Kent maintained his impressive pre-season form as he ended the Jerez test second fastest overall on his Moto3 machine.
Kent (1m 47.262s) was only kept off the top spot by Maverick Vinales on the Avintia Racing FTR Honda, whose best lap was 1m 46.838s.
The young British rider will fancy his chances of starting the all-new Moto3 championship on a winning note in Qatar next month.
“We are changing a few things and still trying different parts, but that's what tests are for,” he said.
Kent's team-mate, Sandro Cortese, was also on the pace in fourth place with a best lap time of 1m 47.437s as KTM continue to hold a strong hand prior to the championship opener.
“I am quite happy and we are improving day by day. The KTM is working well and we have no big problems but the bike is still new and there are still things to sort out,” said Cortese.
“I feel we can still improve a lot with the electronics and the engine but we will be ready to fight in Doha.”
Also performing well on all three days riding the KTM Moto3 bike was Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who was fifth quickest overall (1m 47.491s).
Pit Beirer, KTM's Head of Motorsports, was present at Jerez for the test and said he was greatly encouraged by the performance of the KTM riders.
“These were good tests for us. We can say that over the three days we didn't have even one technical issue so we are quietly confident that we will be able to fight for a good position in the first grand prix,” he said.
“The competition is tough and we expected that but all the riders are fit and in good shape.”
There will be a total of nine riders on KTM-powered bikes on the grid for the opening grand prix in Qatar.
Moto3: Kent, Cortese to fore for KTM
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