The 15-year-old's race ended when he lost control of his Matteoni Racing Aprilia on a hairpin while lying in 32nd place.

The race was eventually won by Frenchman Arnaud Vincent, who was also riding an Aprilia.

Davies is the youngest British rider to take part on the circuit, and had qualified with a time of 2mins 18.231secs to finish 28th on the grid.

Davies had crashed in the first qualifying session, but took advantage of better conditions in the second to take his place in the first Grand Prix of the season.

Davies wasn't the only rider to struggle with the circuit, as world champion Manuel Poggiali did not even qualify after suffering a spectacular fall early in the session.

Davies said: "This is a difficult circuit and after the problems we had on Friday it has been extra difficult for me to get to grips with it because we are effectively one session down on everybody else.

"There are some top-class riders out there and I am learning every time I go out on the track.

"I followed Nobby Ueda round for a couple of laps in this morning's free practice and he showed me where I can really go fast."

It was Davies' first time on a bike on the circuit, although he prepared for his bow by playing computer games.

Davies, who finished seventh in last season's British 125cc championships, said: "I spend hours playing the bike games on my PlayStation because you can learn all the tracks.

"I have only been to five of the tracks on the circuit, so the games help me get the experience of others.

"Lots of the young riders use it to gain knowledge of the track. It could make a real difference when you get there."

Davies, who attends John Beddoes School at Presteigne, has had special permission from headmaster John Stocker to take time off.

But he said that he will still be studying hard.

Setting sights

"This is a great chance for me and I have to take it. But I will be studying hard because my mock exams are coming up.

"I know it's important to do well in your studies, but I also want to have a good season on my bike."

Davies, who lives in the border village of Kinsham, has seen his career take off since he started racing at the age of eight and winning his first title - the British Mini Motos - a year later.

"There are more than 30 riders in the championship, and I am hoping for a top 15 place," he added.