After his accident and his isolation in Australia, the likeable John Mc Phee had a very difficult end to the season. But the dawn of this year 2017 is brightening in the best way...
First of all, the Scottish rider got back on a Moto3 during testing in Valencia, and everything went really well.
“I left happy and positive, feeling as good as possible. The new bike is great and I did the first twenty laps with a big smile under my helmet. She did everything I asked her to do, and it made a big difference. »
This bike, new to the British rider, was nothing more and nothing less than a factory Honda which, apparently, suits him better than his old Peugeot-Mahindra.
As for the fact that no time has been communicated, “We didn't use a transponder during testing, simply because we didn't know there was live timing, but we took our times and were able to compare them with those of the other guys, and I was there, always in the rhythm. We are not far at all, I feel good on the bike, and we still have a lot to explore with it” explains the former Saxoprint pilot.
This year, goodbye Saxoprint and hello British Talent Team. Because if John Mc Phee was able to secure a factory Honda in a new team under the leadership of Alberto Puig, even without the anticipated advertiser British Telecom, but with the blessing of Dorna, it is because the latter has development projects in Great Britain.
Speaking in the columns of speedweek, Carmelo Ezpeleta does not hide it and specifies the words of Alberto Puig: “we also had the idea of also organizing in the United Kingdom a British Talent Cup, the way we already do it in Asia. We already want to make the selection of participants at the Grand Prix at Silverstone this year. The system will be similar to all the cuts we manage. We urge those who are interested to register. I suspect it will generate a lot of interest in the UK, and we expect a huge influx of pilots. We will consider the age and talent of the drivers, and put them in competition at Silverstone for selection. We will provide all available equipment, we will keep drivers busy and give them racing tips. In addition to Alberto Puig, Jeremy McWilliams will also participate. »
After Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, the Shell Asian Talent Cup and the recent European Talent Cup, Dorna therefore continues to broaden the base of its pyramid to unearth the talents of tomorrow, whether they one day end up in Grands Prix or Superbike.
