Despite today’s added challenges of strong winds and a green track, Petronas Sprinta rider John McPhee immediately showed his strength at Barcelona’s 4.6km circuit as Moto3 free practice got underway, with a determined performance to end the day sixth overall.
The opening practice began with McPhee consistently circulating at the sharp end throughout the closely-fought 40-minute session. His fastest effort - a 1’49.460 set on his 15th lap - placing him fifth with just two-tenths separating him from Romano Fenati in second as the morning concluded.
A similarly strong start to the afternoon, undeterred by the increasing wind, saw the Scot return to the leading times before a turn-10 crash in FP2 hampered his track time.
Bike repaired, he ventured back out, however, yellow flags interfered on his final lap push, preventing him from improving on his afternoon’s 1’50.151 best and leaving him settling for 10th in the session.
Nevertheless, with only two of the fastest riders enhancing their morning’s effort, McPhee’s opening time was easily enough to secure him sixth in the combined standings.
“It’s been a positive first day. In the first session I was P5 and I did quite a lot of the laps alone, with a very good rhythm. There’s a very strong headwind here, so that’s having a big effect on overall speed and position," said McPhee.
“I’m feeling comfortable on the bike. We did have a small crash in FP2, but the guys have done a great job in getting the bike repaired and me back out on track as soon as possible.
“At the end of the session with the new tyre I was really happy with my speed, as in the first two sectors I recorded my fastest splits of the day. Unfortunately a yellow flag was out so I had to abort the lap.
"We didn’t get to show our true potential but overall the feeling is very good and I’m happy with our speed.
“We need to see what happens with the wind tomorrow. If it drops then I believe that we can go alone in the QP, but let’s see what it is like in the morning.”
