MotoGP Buriram: McPhee ‘struggling in strange conditions’

Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max’s John McPhee faced two wet Moto3 free practice sessions in Thailand on Friday.

While the morning action was greeted with dry skies but a wet track, the afternoon started with rain but dried quickly in the humid conditions. Opting for slick Dunlops in the closing ten minutes as the times tumbles, McPhee completed the session just adrift of the provisional promotion zone and 16th in the standings after his 1’44.7 final best was deleted for track limits in the second sector. HIs penultimate effort - a 1’45.047 - just over a tenth shy of the top 14 and 1.5s off the outright pace set by teammate Ayumu Sasaki.

“Today was strange,” McPhee said from Thailand. “We had some wet, then dry, then wet conditions again. It made it a little bit difficult to find a good rhythm.

“At the end of the second session it was dry. Unfortunately, on my fastest lap I touched the green and my time was cancelled.

“I was struggling to keep the bike on line so my overall position doesn’t look that strong. We have some work to do for tomorrow but I believe we can be fast enough to be in Q2 and then fight for the qualifying position.”