Macau Grand Prix: Martin Finnegan hampered by yellow flags

MV Agusta rider Martin Finnegan looked set to make a dramatic improvement on his qualifying position in the second session at the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix but was thwarted by the yellow flags.

• Click here to read about Guy Martin’s crash in today’s qualifying practice

After a difficult first day when electric problems sidelined the MV Agusta, the team spent most of the rest of the day and all night trying to resolve the issue.

“We traced the problem in Martin’s machine to the proverbial 2p washer, well electrical connector, after having changed the engine and injectors etc,” said team manager Barry Symmons.

“This morning’s all important final qualifying was partially used to reset the engine maps. 

“Then for the final 25 minutes Martin and the MV could show what they could do, unfortunately Guy Martin had a very nasty looking crash, sliding into unprotected concrete. 

“He was attended to beside the track which meant yellow flags so Martin only moved up to 10th place which is middle of the third row.

“However on the lap of Guy’s crash Martin was on course for a mid 2.29 which would have been a significant improvement.”

Finnegan added: “The MV was feeling better and better each lap and I feel like we are in the race now so I’m looking forward to Saturday. Guy’s crash looked very nasty though and cast a shadow over the session”