Moto3: Crash halts McPhee’s chances at front row

Czech Grand Prix winner John McPhee has had his chances of taking a front row start for his home race at Silverstone halted after he crashed out of today’s Moto3 qualifying session, leaving himself unable to make any headway as track conditions changed for the worst.

The Saxoprint Peugeot racer had a fast crash at Abbey towards the start of the session, and was unable to re-join until only ten minutes were left – and with rain getting heavier as the session went on, the damage was already done by then.

MORE FROM THE BRITISH GP 2016

• Lowes: ‘I didn’t think I’d get chance to race in MotoGP’
• MotoGP: Viewing experience enhanced with new 360º camera
• MotoGP: Rossi continuing with 2017 chassis at Silverstone
• MotoGP: Petrucci crashes his father’s scooter prior to British GP
• Cavendish – ‘Crutchlow is just nuts now, not absolutely bat****’

“I went into qualifying feeling really strong, using the exact same bike as Brno – but the different is that here there’s just no grip. The front was pushing and pushing, and I was trying to build temperature in the front but ended up having an off.

“After I went down the boys did a good job to get me back out, but the window to do a lap time was around when I crashed. After that the rain came down, and when I got back out I ended up being the only person to do my fastest lap towards the end of the session.”

However, despite the crash meaning he’ll now start from all the way back in 17^th on the grid, the Scotsman says that he’s confident for the race come wet or dry conditions.

“At the end of the session I was able to catch the likes of Binder and Bendsneyder, pass them and pull away – and they were both in the top five. Tomorrow’s the race though, and we’ve shown that we have the pace come wet or dry, so I’m looking forward to it.”

 

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.