French Grand Prix, Le Mans, Moto3, Warmup: McPhee doesn’t give up

It's typically British weather this Sunday morning for the Moto3 riders who will warm up for a French Grand Prix which will take place very early in the afternoon. John mcphee, the pole sitter, therefore has reason to feel at home, but the competition will not hear it that way. It will be Japanese since no less than three rising sun pilots are in front. But the conditions proposed are so random that anything is possible. So, who will best meet the challenge of Le Mans?

To have some answer, this warm-up will undoubtedly be useful. Before knowing the outcome, here is the table which recalls the facts.

Le Mans Moto3™	2018	2019
FP1	1'43.114 Jorge Martin	1'42.954 Gabriel Rodrigo
FP2	1'42.596 Niccolò Antonelli	1'42.263 Ai Ogura
FP3	1'42.111 Marcos Ramirez	1'52.429 Tatsuki Suzuki
Q1	XXX	1'43.994 John McPhee
Q2	1'42.039 Jorge Martin	1'42.277 John McPhee
warm up	1'42.530 Enea Bastianini
Course	Arenas, Migno, Ramirez
All time lap record	1'41.754 Martin (2018)

13° in the air, about the same on a track which is not wet but lives under the threat of an overcast sky which promises showers, such are the conditions offered to the pilots during the 20 minutes allocated to the exercise.

In 1'44.461, Suzuki signs the first reference. Lopez answers him with six tenths less. But the Japanese responds with three thousandths better. McPhee follows this duo by remaining in 1'44 while the time to beat is now 1'43.830.

Masia regains confidence after a complicated Saturday and signs a 1'43.572 which puts him in control of the session. Antonelli positions himself second at the halfway point. The latter then takes the lead in 1'43.324. Canet is 23th and fenati 26th

The last five minutes began with a domination of the duo which makes up the SIC58 team since Suzuki suit Antonelli. But McPhee manages to interpose before Suzuki don't put the cursor at 1'42.911.

In sight of the checkered flag, McPhee slams a 1'42.841. Suzuki follows as Antonelli et Fernandez. Migno closes the top 5. Canet is eighth, ahead Masia et fenati is a sad 24th.

Warmup ranking French Moto3 Grand Prix at Le Mans:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com