Moto3 Valence-1 Q1/Q2: John McPhee majestic in very delicate conditions

Overnight rain left the circuit at the Ricardo Tormo circuit well soaked before the start of the third set of practice sessions. With a trajectory that struggled to dry due to the colder temperatures in the morning, no one will have managed to improve on Friday's ranking and change the top 14 before qualifying.

In humid conditions, Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) spent most of his time at the top of the times, but ultimately it was John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) who won by two tenths of a second. Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) may have finished second but the Italian remained fastest overall over the three practice sessions. Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) is a long way from Q2, but the title contender finished third in FP3, after leading briefly, and could benefit from an additional 15 minutes of dry driving in Q1.

Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) continued his strong run in difficult conditions with fourth position, ahead of his compatriots Nicolò Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Riccardo Rossi (KTM, BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy). Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) managed to move up to seventh position, but the championship leader will still have to advance to Q1 this afternoon. Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Arizona 77), Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the ranking of the first ten places.

For the record, here is a table which recalls the facts known until now:

At the start of Q1, the air temperature was 19°C and the track temperature was 20°C. The clouds are very threatening in the sky, it even seems like it's starting to rain.

The drivers quickly entered the track to take advantage of the almost dry track in order to seize this final chance to reach Q2. Only 4 of the 16 drivers participating in this Q1 will qualify for Q2, which will take place immediately afterwards.

From the first lap, the white and red flag, synonymous with change of grip, is presented to the drivers, because it is raining in the last sector. The first timed laps will be crucial, we will have to take risks, but reasonably.

Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) waited 5 minutes before setting off, and his mechanics made him leave on slick tires, an offbeat strategy, which could pay off.

Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) sets the first benchmark in 1'47.646, ahead of Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), Davide Pizzoli (KTM, BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy) and Barry Baltus (KTM, PruestlGP). The 3rd sector of the circuit is really dark…

Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) flies through the session, the complicated conditions do not seem to impact him. He produced a magnificent lap while being forced to overtake several drivers. Nevertheless,

Jason dupasquier (KTM, PruestlGP),Barry Baltus (KTM, PruestlGP) and Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) fall consecutively, the rain intensifies. The Japanese driver's lap time will not be retained.

Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3) also suffered a fall. The conditions are complicated for all the drivers, with these changes in grip.

As for gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), he fell at turn 11 then at turn 14 in a single lap…

5 minute from the end of the session, Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) logically leads the debates in 1'45.745, ahead of gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) and Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing).

With the rain becoming more and more present, the times will remain unchanged and these 4 drivers will logically advance to Q2. Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) remains the first disappointed, he is fifth in the session. As for Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse), who performed in FP3, he wanted to ride on slicks and qualified last.

Now it's time for Q2, these 4 drivers joining the other 14 fastest from the 3 practice sessions. It's now official, it's raining in Valencia, no surprises regarding the choice of tires!

Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team) likes these conditions, what will he do in this session?

Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) is the first to complete a timed lap, but it is Riccardo Rossi (KTM, BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy) who is currently in provisional pole with a lap achieved in 1'54.973. It is followed by Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota).

All sectors light up red for many drivers, the session promises to be lively. Darryn binder (KTM, CIP-Green Power) takes control in 1'53.384, ahead John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46). Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) responded quickly in 1'53.179, before falling at turn 4, where he suffered a highside. It seems the session is ending prematurely for him.

Indeed, John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) crosses the line after a lap in 1'52.514. There are 6 minutes left before the checkered flag passes.

Sergio Garcia (Honda, Estrella Galicia 0,0) also suffered a highside at turn 9, then Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Arizona 77) fell in turn. The conditions are apocalyptic.

3 minutes from the end of these qualifications, Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) wakes up and completes a lap in 1'52.623. He who was seventh, he is now second, behind John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing), which temporarily deprives him of his sixth pole position of the season.

It's not over, these 2 drivers improving their times sector after sector. John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) improves to 1'52.252, but not Fernandez. They have one round left.

Alonso lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) crashed for the second time at turn 4, followed by Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) at turn 6.

Despite a superb final lap Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) retains pole ahead of the Madrilenian driver, his first of the year, followed by Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46).

Results of the Q1 session of the Moto3 European Grand Prix in Valencia:

Results of the Q2 session of the Moto3 European Grand Prix in Valencia:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com