John McPhee to lead 2017 Moto3 British Talent Team
CONNEL’S John McPhee will line up on the 2017 Moto3 World Championship grid as part of a new Dorna-supported British Talent Team, riding an HRC factory Honda machine.
The 22-year- old, who has been supported by the Racing Steps Foundation since 2010, scored victory in this season’s Czech Grand Prix. He will link up with new team boss Alberto Puig who will manage the team for Dorna.
McPhee will be the sole rider in next year’s British Talent Moto3 GP Team, with plans to expand to two riders in 2018 as part of a new ladder for young British talent.
The Racing Steps Foundation will continue to fund a British team in the Moto3 Junior World Championship, part of the FIM CEV Repsol series, and a feeder to the Moto3 World Championship.
Dorna, which is the exclusive commercial and television rights holder for MotoGP, will fund McPhee’s challenge, enabling the team to focus on mounting a serious title assault.
‘This is a great platform for me to work towards a serious challenge next season,’ said John. ‘It will be nice to fly the flag and represent Britain in this way.
‘Riding a factory Honda will really help us. It was as strong as always this year, and it was something that I was aiming for in 2017. It will give us the tools that we need to really move forward quickly.
History
‘Having Alberto [ Puig] involved should really help too. He’s got a long reputation in the paddock and a history of working with riders like Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.
‘I would never have reached this stage without the backing of the Racing Steps Foundation, Peter Ball and Mark Keen. I have also been lucky to have the loyal support of some personal sponsors, who have helped me over the years. I’m ever so thankful to them all for all that has been done to get me to this point.’