Vinales tops final day of 2014 Moto2 Valencia test

The 2013 Moto3 World Champion's fastest lap came in the third session of the third day (February 13), in the form of a 1:35.302. There were two Kalex and one Suter bike in the top three, with Takaaki Nakagami second for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia and Tom Luthi third for Interwetten Paddock Moto2.

Luthi was particularly pleased, as his bike was responding well to numerous setup changes. Fourth was Rabat, although the Marc VDS Racing Team rider's best lap of Wednesday remains the quickest of the week (1'35.155) - one and a half tenths of a second quicker than Viñales.

Sandro Cortese (Dynavolt Intact GP) enjoyed a stronger outing on Thursday, with the 2012 Moto3 title winner finishing fifth as Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2's Jordi Torres and Nico Terol sandwiched Italtrans Racing Team's Julian Simon in sixth, seventh and eighth places. Torres focused on working with swingarms and front forks, while Terol searched for an improvement in rear grip.

The top ten was completed by Mika Kallio and Luis Salom, team-mates of Rabat and Viñales, respectively. Rookie Sam Lowes fared well, ending day 3 proceedings 12th for Speed Up, followed by Australia's Anthony West with a 1:36.764 on the QMMF Racing Team Speed Up machine.

Combined standings for the three days pushed West down to 17th overall, just ahead of Moto2 rookie, America's Josh Herrin (Caterham Suter). West's best of 1:36.534 came during the second day's final session.

Much of the field struggled to improve on Thursday, as strong winds lashed the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Gino Rea (AGT-Rea Racing Suter) crashed on Wednesday, and may have broken the fourth metacarpal of his left foot. Despite this, the Englishman braved the pain and did take to the race track on Day 3.

Shortly before the chequered flag flew, there was a crash for Terol who lost the front end of his Suter at the first corner, but the Spaniard escaped injury.

Moto2 testing resumes in Jerez between Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 February.

Images: motogp.com