McPhee bags Moto3 GP podium posted in OTHER26 | 03 | 2017

SCOT JOHN McPHEE got his bid to win the Moto3 Grand Prix World Championship off to a podium start when he finished second in the season-opening race in Qatar.

The 23-year-old from Oban, in his first race riding his new British Talent Team Honda, narrowly missed out on the victory by just 0.135-seconds behind Spaniard Joan Mir. The top eight were covered by 0.878s.

And McPhee, who became the first Scot to win a two-wheel grand prix for 53 years when he won in Czechoslovakia last year, was delighted to give his mum Maggie an extra special gift on Mother’s Day.

“I gave her flowers this morning, now I’ve also been able to I’ve her the Champagne from the podium,” McPhee beamed after the podium ceremony under the floodlights in the desert. “It’s great to share the podium with her here on Mother’s day.

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“I can’t thank everyone who’s behind giving me this terrific opportunity enough. I fully realise the chance I’ve been given, and I’m determined to make the most of it. 

“That was a great way to start the season. Right through the race the bike was so fast; I felt really strong in the group.

“We ticked all the boxes in pre-season testing and we knew we would be strong in the race weekend. Starting from 12th on the grid wasn’t in the script, but I stuck to the race plan we had and it paid off. I’m absolutely delighted.”

And McPhee, whose 2016 season ended two races early when he was badly injured in a crash in Australia, was congratulated by his understandably delighted mum.

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” she smiled. “It was a very good race, and I’m so proud of him today. I think it’s going to be an exciting year.”

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Jim McGill