McPhee seals Moto3 GP pole posted in OTHER08 | 04 | 2017
SCOT JOHN McPHEE will start from pole position for tomorrow’s second round of the Moto3 GP World Championship in Argentina, a fortnight after finishing second in Qatar. (Related: McPhee reflects on Qatar Moto3 GP podium)
The 23-year-old from Oban lapped the 2.98-mile Termas de Rio circuit, 500 miles north-west of Buenos Aires, in 1min 40.094secs, finishing 0.154s ahead of Italian Nicolo Bulega’s KTM.
McPhee, who leads the all-new British Talent Team, powered his 250cc Honda to the fastest time on lap 10 of the 14 he completed. And the Scot admitted to being surprised by his pace, after setting pole on old tyres.
“Essentially we did that on old tyres,” he revealed afterwards. “Normally you set your fastest time on new rubber, but the front had done 10 laps and the rear had done eight laps, so it looks like we also have good race pace for tomorrow.
“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting that in the middle run. Our strategy was to try and get our time in the first run, or the final run of the three. But I’m delighted to be on pole.
“It’s the perfect way to complete the first proper qualifying session of the season after the rain-hit quali in Qatar. It’s always nice to start from the front.”
Spaniard Joan Mir, who beat McPhee in Qatar by just 0.135s, could only manage 16th on his Honda.
Related: McPhee fired-up for Argentina
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Jim McGill