MotoGP Phillip Island: McPhee ‘gave everything I had at favourite track’

A fastest lap and sixth place finish were John McPhee’s just deserts after a difficult Moto3 weekend in Australia with his Sterilgarda Husqvarna.

A delayed start due to a late downpour saw the Moto3 action fire up five minutes later than planned as McPhee launched from 16th on the Phillip Island grid. Into the top ten by lap four, the Scotsman’s pace claimed the fastest lap accolade with a 1’36.886 on the eighth revolution as he battled in the mix of the second group. Repeatedly leading the pursuing quartet, he missed out on fifth by less than a tenth on the final lap.

“After the weekend we had so far I think P6 is definitely a good step in the right direction,” McPhee said on Sunday afternoon. “Finally I was able to enjoy riding the bike again in the race!

“It has been a tough weekend, probably one of the most difficult for me this year. I just felt completely lost throughout all the weekend with the bike and the feeling.

“I was not really making progress, then finally in qualifying we made a good step with the rear. In the race I was determined to finish at my absolute maximum. This is my favourite track and I gave everything I had today, to get a good result. I hope that in Malaysia I can have a good feeling from FP1 onwards.”