MotoGP Silverstone: ‘Honestly I hoped for more’ - McPhee

After a blistering start to the BritishGP weekend, John McPhee was disappointed to qualify the Husqvarna tenth at Silverstone on Saturday.

The Sterilgarda Max Racing rider was fastest on Friday but could only manage 22nd in the cooler conditions of Saturday morning. Gaining direct entry into the Q2 fight thanks to his Friday effort placing him third in the combined standing after the final free practice session, the Scot was hopeful for a strong outing under the British summer sun.

Traffic, however, played its part during the climatic 15-minute outing, with McPhee caught out by the chequered flag before he could complete his final time attack. A 2’11.560, over half a second slower than his personal best, sits him tenth overall on Sunday’s grid ahead of the 17-lap race.

“Honestly I hoped for a little bit more in qualifying,” McPhee admitted on Saturday evening. “We know already that being in the front three and four rows in Moto3 is good enough, but I had the speed to be faster.

“I tried to push, and to find a good position in the group, but it was impossible, so I decided to go alone.

“When I pushed I got some riders riding slowly so that is the reason I could not go faster or at the same speed of yesterday. Anyway, I feel good on the bike, I feel positive about the race. I think I can be strong for all the race distance, so we look forward to tomorrow, that will be the most important day.”