MotoGP Valencia: McPhee ready for emotional Moto3 farewell

John McPhee prepares to bow out of the Moto3 Championship at Valencia this weekend after more than a decade of racing.

Having initially joined the lightweight class with a wildcard ride in 2010, McPhee has seen the paddock’s progression from 125cc racing to the current Moto3 format across 10 full seasons and 13 years of competitive action. With 16 podiums and four victories to his name to date and at 28 years of age, the Scotsman is no longer eligible for the junior category, with Valencia heralding his final outing in the championship.

The weekend also bids farewell to his Sterilgarda Max Racing outfit, as Max Biaggi calls time on his four year spell as team owner with Husqvarna moving under the IntactGP umbrella for 2023.

McPhee’s final race follows his impressive rise from 22nd to victor last time out in Malaysia, with teammate Ayumu Sasaki adding to the celebrations from second position. The duo are hoping for more of the same to round out the season on a high, with Sasaki challenging for second in the overall standings while McPhee currently completes the top ten - a strong comeback in itself having missed five rounds at the start of the season due to a broken back.

“Heading to the last race of the season and my last race in Moto3 will be pretty emotional,” McPhee admitted ahead of the finale.

“Delighted to be heading there as the most recent winner in Sepang. It couldn’t have come at a better time and now there’s one last opportunity to enjoy myself in Moto3.

“I’ll dig deep as always to achieve the best result possible.”