Danny Webb claims impressive provisional front row

British teenager Danny Webb shrugged off the continuing discomfort of a broken right collarbone to claim second place on the provisional grid for Sunday’s Australian 125GP.

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Webb, who claimed a top 15 finish in Japan just five days ago despite riding with a broken right collarbone he suffered in a moto cross training accident, logged a best time of 1.49.093.

That claimed a superb second for the Aprilia rider who was only beaten by world championship leader Mike di Meglio who topped the timesheets with a best time of 1.48.319.

The session was run in wet conditions with the expected downpours arriving just before the riders took to the spectacular Phillip Island circuit.

Bradley Smith found himself down in 16th place in the standings, as he was fortunate to escape injury with a fast crash at the downhill first corner late in the session.

He clocked a best time of 1.52.174. Scott Redding was a further three places adrift on his first visit to the circuit. Redding’s best time of 1.52.828 secured him 19th on the provisional grid.

Webb told MCN: “It was really good. I was behind (Andrea) Iannone at the start of the session and he is always quite quick in the wet. I felt really comfortable and the lap time was coming easy behind him. Later in the session I was out on my own and I just felt confident to push.

“There were a lot of guys crashing but I felt like the track was offering good grip. I was knocking a second off every lap and the bike was set up really good for the weather. I felt so confident the bike actually felt like a little toy. It all just came together and we ended up second on the grid.”

Webb rode today without any protection on his damage shoulder, but he believes he might need treatment before riding tomorrow as the pain gradually worsened throughout the day.

“The shoulder is not too bad but it is aching quite a lot. I didn’t tape it this morning and it was okay but with riding in the afternoon it is feeling pretty sore now. I think I’ll get it taped tomorrow morning just to give it a bit more support, “added the 17-year-old.