Race ace’s switch to pedal power keeps him on track
John McPhee also enjoying precious time with family during lockdown
Petronas Moto3 rider John McPhee has swapped horsepower for pedal power during lockdown and believes he can return to the World Championship fitter and faster.
The 25-year-old biker notched a second place in the opening race of the 2020 season in Qatar and has been living with his parents in Connel since his return.
‘I’ve been making the most of the good weather and cycling every day, either my road bike or sometimes my mountain bike,’ he said.
‘I’ve been using the time to keep fit and have been training continuously. As well as cycling, I’ve been doing general strength and conditioning work, either in the house or in the garden.
‘I’ve dedicated time to working on some old injuries and recovering those areas of my body that aren’t so strong. There are always areas to improve, so I’ve been focusing on them.’
As a result of his hectic racing schedule, John lives in Andorra and only manages to visit his family home on the odd weekend or for just a few days, so is enjoying this rare extended time with his family.
‘I’ve been helping my parents in the garden and doing odd jobs to help them out,’ he added.
‘My dad and I have been in the garage with the bikes. We have some of my old bikes and some of his that need repaired or rebuilding. So we’ve been spending a lot of time together working on them.
‘I’ve been using the time to keep fit and have been training continuously. As well as cycling, I’ve been doing general strength and conditioning work, either in the house or the garden.’
‘Like everyone at the moment, I have a list of jobs that keep stacking up and now is the time to do them. This bad situation has given us a chance to make our way through these things and it’s made me much more organised with my normal, day-to-day life.’
John’s next race is scheduled for June 19-21 in Sachsenring, Germany, but, with a big question mark hanging over sports fixtures, he feels taking a podium position in the opener was even more important for him and the Petronas Sprinta
Racing team. ‘We had a really strong pre-season and worked a lot on our settings from last year,’ he added.
Valuable
‘It’s the first time in my racing career I’ve ever had the same bike, the same team and the same people to work with and it’s been so valuable because I’ve been able to arrive at the first test of the year, and especially at the first race of the year, and be smiling inside my helmet from the first few laps.
‘The feeling was there, the confidence was there and we could grow together towards our targets for each test and the race.
‘I feel like the biggest step forward has been that continuity. I don’t feel I was riding any differently, except maybe a little more confidently because of the fantastic team and people around me.’
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, John believes if his sport gets back on track, this year’s championship will be one of the most exciting and closest yet.
‘Every year some move up to Moto2 but this year it feels like we’ve had so many come into the championship and be quick,’ he said.
‘Fortunately, I feel really good and I think we’re in with a good chance to fight when we get racing again.’
In the meantime, the far travelled race ace is content to spend time at home and shared some wise advice on the situation we all now find ourselves in.
‘Just keep safe, keep calm and remember this won’t last forever,’ he said.
‘Maybe it will let people look at the important things in life, like family and health, and all the good things they have around them.
‘We can all focus on coming back at the end of this stronger and more grateful for what we have in life.’