Danny Kent Crowned Moto3 Champion

Nov 8, 2015
2 min read

Danny Kent clinched the Moto3 crown at the season-ending race in Valencia despite his rival Miguel Oliveira claiming victory.

Kent is the first British rider since Barry Sheene in 1977 to become World Champion and rode a patient but impressively mature race to take the title. The 21 year-old Brit ended a 46 year wait for a British World Champion in the lightweight category. Kent's rival Miguel Oliveira completed the task he set out to do by taking victory and the Portuguese rider could only wait to see if Kent would be lower than 14th to steal the title. However, Kent may have started 18th but made a calm start and gradually picked up places throughout the race to sit a comfortable 11th heading onto the final lap.

Kent's Leopard Racing teammate, Hiroki Ono, made the final lap tense by passing and then allowing Kent back through but remained close to Kent's rear tyre. Nevertheless, the title was secured when a three rider crash involving Antonelli, Vazquez and Fenati on the final corner of the season saw Kent take 9th place and with it the Moto3 Championship.

Jorge Navarro claimed second place and will have to wait until next season to try to claim his first Moto3 victory. Jakub Kornfeil secured a surprise third as he took advantage of Antonelli's error into the final corner (which took Fenati and Vazquez down) and it was only his second career podium after a second place at Silverstone.

Brad Binder finished fourth ahead of Enea Bastianini and Isaac Vinales. Pole sitter John McPhee struggled to match the pace of the front runners and had to settle for seventh place at the season finale with Hiroki Ono, Kent and Philipp Oettl completing the top ten.

However, Sunday and the 2015 season belonged to Danny Kent. He may have lost some rhythm in the final five races after his win at home at the British Grand Prix, but he will not care about that for now and is a worthy champion. Next season, Danny Kent steps up to Moto2 with his Leopard Racing team and will interestingly be joined by Miguel Oliveira as his teammate.

Moto3 Valencia GP Race Results Top 10:

WINNER - MIGUEL OLIVEIRA, 40m09.792s

SECOND - Jorge NAVARRO, +0.198s

THIRD - Jakub KORNFEIL, +2.090s

4th - Brad BINDER, +2.121s

5th - Enea BASTIANINI, +2.975s

6th - Isaac VINALES, +3.343s

7th - John MCPHEE, +4.087s

8th - Hiroki ONO, +9.627s

9th - Danny KENT, 9.914s

10th - Philipp OETTL, +10.580s

Full Race results available here.