CHIPPENHAM’S Danny Kent picked up points for only the second weekend of the Moto2 season in Italy yesterday despite illness.

The 22-year-old picked up 10 points in his first race of the season in Qatar with a sixth place finish for Leopard Racing, but has since failed to collect any in the subsequent four races, retiring from two.

However, Kent was back in the mix at Mugello as he shook off an illness to lift himself up four places from qualifying to finish in 14th place during the shortened 10-lap race, picking up two championship points in the process.

“It was a consistent weekend,” he said.

“We’ve consistently been a lot closer to the front group. I’m much happier with the bike and I want to say a big thank you to the team who worked hard.

“We’ve proven we can be closer to the front.

“It was a good race and even though we finished 14th we were in the group fighting for seventh.

“Sadly in the race the wind changed a little and I was hitting the limiter a lot and I couldn’t pass them down the straight.”

After suffering from flu in the build up to the weekend in Tuscany, Kent was able to put his bike in 18th place on the grid with a lap time of 1 minute 52.694 seconds.

The scheduled 21-lap race had to be shortened to just 10 after Xavier Vierge lost his front at turn 13 and ended up colliding with the air fence, resulting in a red flag situation.

After the quick start procedure was used for the first time to get the race back underway, a clear group of five formed to fight for the victory while Kent and fellow Leopard Racing teammate Miguel Oliveira remained in the chasing pack.

The duo fought for position, with the Portuguese rider taking Kent with three laps remaining before the Brit fought back immediately.

Oliveira was able to take Kent again, who was in the thick of a battle with Corsi, and the Chippenham-born rider crossed the finish line in 14th place.

Kent now has 12 points in the overall standings and will be back in action in Montmello, Barcelona, in two weeks’ time.