MALMESBURY'S Danny Kent was battling for another podium finish in the Australian leg of the Moto3 world championship when he crashed with two laps to go.

Kent was unhurt and remounted to finish in 20th place.

The 20-year-old has been finishing his final season with the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo team in style, coming home in third and sixth in his last two races, and he was again in flying form at the Phillip Island circuit as he was never worse than sixth in every session over the weekend.

Kent, hungry for a win, battled with the front group from the first lap.

The Red Bull Husquvana Ajo rider was looking strong when team-mate and championship contender Jack Miller went for an ambitious pass at a hairpin with two laps remaining, colliding with Kent's front wheel which caused him to crash and take out the challenging Brad Binder.

A frustrated Kent said: "Once again we have been very strong here at Phillip Island.

"Since Aragon we have made an important step forward by demonstrating that we can be up at the front consistently.

"We worked very well throughout the weekend and it was just a shame about the way it ended. "In the incident, Jack (Miller) overtook me on the inside and, when I opened up slightly, I collided with Binder and crashed. It was frustrating because we were going very well and could have fought for another podium. Now we have to focus on Malaysia.”

With two rounds remaining (Sepang and Valencia) a top-seven finish in the world championship standings is still possible for Kent, as he currently lies in ninth.

BRITISH Motostar Moto3 champion Jordan Weaving could not end his stunning year with a win at Brands Hatch.

The 17-year-old Cirencester Deer Park pupil secured the title two weeks ago at Silverstone and went into the season finale with no pressure after a demanding year.

However, he was off the pace going into qualifying and a clutch problem resulted in him starting the race from 28th position, four from the back.

After one of his trademark strong starts, Weaving was soon up to 15th on the opening lap but before the end of that first circuit he was involved in a collision with Mike Brouwers, which saw Weaving knocked off his Jordan Burkett Racing machine, ending his participation.

Weaving walked away unharmed and ended the season just three points ahead of Joe Irving in the championship standings.