Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max’s John McPhee will line up for the San Marino Grand Prix from eighth on the Misano Moto3 grid.

A challenging day of changeable weather conditions greeted the lightweight class at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli with McPhee maintaining his front-running form across Saturday’s sessions.

Securing direct entry to Q2 with the 13th fastest time in the combined standings, after running 11th in FP3 despite the usual on-track antics, the Scot went on to challenge in qualifying. Sitting as high as fourth at mid-session the 28-year-old completed the 15-minute shootout in eighth, just two-tenths off pole, for a third row start in Sunday’s 23-lap race.

“Looking at the gap from the top, only 0.2 from the fastest time is quite a successful session in these track conditions,” McPhee acknowledged from Misano. “P8 is not something to smile about, but starting in the first three rows is always the target.

“The thing I am most happy about is that we made some progress with the feeling of the bike. I was able to ride alone, and I think we are in a good shape for the race of tomorrow.”