Britain’s Danny Kent lead the way in both Motegi MotoGP Moto3 free practice sessions in Japan today and blizted his own outright lap record by a second for good measure on the Huaqvarna-branded KTM.

Kent’s 1’57.317s lap was only just head of title challenger Alex Rins, though, as the Estrella Galicia rider was less than a tenth in arrears with Mahindra’s Miguel Oliveira in third place with Brad Binder and Enea Bastianini completing the top five.

"I'm very happy with how the weekend has begun. It was our best Friday all season. The feeling that I have on the bike and with the track are very good. Anyway, we have to keep working hard because this has only just begun. The points are given out on Sunday, so if we continue working in the same way we will be strong in the race. But for a first day I'm really happy," said Kent.

Championship leader Jack Miller ended down in 13th place, one higher than Aragon race winner Romano Fenati while Alex Marquez finished the day in seventh.

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