Gino Rea endured a tough start to his maiden Moto2 campaign as he finished 26th in the opening round in Qatar, writes Alannah Fellows.

The Epsom-based motorcyclist had a frustrating weekend as his Moriwaki machine struggled to cope with the circuit under floodlights.

Having qualified in a disappointing 27th, he surged up to 19th at the start but slipped back as his bike failed to keep pace with his rivals.

“I was glad when that race was over,” he said.

“We made big changes to the bike for the race but they really didn’t work.

“That’s not where we belong and I’ve never felt so slow on a bike.

“Big changes are needed for Jerez.”

The 22-year old will be hoping for better at the next race in Jerez in Spain, a track he knows well and has raced on previously.