Danny Webb thrilled to end long-running points drought

Danny Webb wasted no time in banishing the memory of a disastrous 2012 Moto3 campaign after finishing on the fringe of the top 10 in last weekend’s opening round in Qatar.

The British rider endured a nightmare 2012 on the unreliable and uncompetitive Mahindra machine and he’s spent the majority of the winter re-building his confidence on the Ambrogio Racing Suter Honda package.

His 11th place finish on Sunday night at the floodlit Losail International Circuit put him less than 0.5s away from the top 10.

But crucially for the Kent rider he got a much-needed confidence boost, with his visit to the top 15 the first time he has scored points since the 2011 Malaysian 125GP at Sepang.

He was also first Honda home in the 18-lap clash that was totally dominated by Austrian factory KTM and Webb told MCN: “I was first Honda so I can’t be disappointed but it would have been good to be in the top 10.

“That’s my first points scoring finish since Sepang in 2011, so it has been a long time coming. It was just nice to be in a race after the Mahindra experience last year. The bike wasn’t great but you start blaming and doubting yourself even though you know it is not you.

“I messed up the first lap when I ran wide and lost a few places and that put me in a group that I should have really been clear of. I had to pull off some aggressive moves to get to the front of that group.

“I’m happy with the Suter chassis but we just need some engine performance from Honda.

“They are working hard and they are a huge company so I am sure they can do it. But it is clear they need to work when you look at the number of KTM bikes in the top 10.”