MotoGP Motegi: McPhee ‘disappointed’ after promising morning

Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max’s John McPhee will line up 12th for the Moto3 Japanese GP after rain struck Motegi on Saturday.

Having secured direct qualifying to Q2 via his Friday efforts, the pressure was off for McPhee during the morning’s FP2 session. The Scot set a 2’09.922 best in the wet conditions to sit fifth in the standings but with conditions deteriorating as the day progressed it would not be replicated during qualifying. A 2’12.993 was the pace reached in the final 15-minute session with the 28-year-old lining up 12th for Sunday’s 20-lap race.

“In the morning in FP2, I managed to find a good rhythm,” McPhee explained on Saturday. “Lap after lap I was going faster and finished P5, very very close to the front. I had a small crash in the FP2, which was unfortunate, but on the bike there was no damage and I am okay.

“In qualifying unfortunately I did not feel so good. I tried to find a good feeling and a good rhythm, but with only 15 minutes in the session I had no time to come in and make changes to the bike, so I qualified P12, which is a little bit disappointing considering this morning’s results.

“Anyway tomorrow looks like the forecast will be much different and we can look forward to the race.”