Moto3: Martin pips McPhee in final seconds of qualifying

Jorge Martin has just piped British Talent Cup Honda rider John McPhee in the final seconds of today’s Moto3 qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, by taking the top spot on his final lap of the 45-minute session, with Joan Mir completing the JM trio on the front row of the grid.

McPhee spent much of the session far down the time sheets, but getting into a big group that completely changed the order in the final minutes, was able to power to the top spot before losing out to Martin only seconds later.

Martin’s teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rode shotgun for him on his final lap to ensure a slipstream for the Gresini Honda pair, was fourth, with Nicolo Bulega recovering from a huge crash early on in fifth and Juanfran Guevara rounding out the provisional second row.

However, the grid for tomorrow’s race remains very much provisional with a series of penalties still to be applied by race control, with at least ten riders to receive penalties for slowing on track to await a tow in free practice three alone.