Moto3: McPhee set to miss Sepang after horror smash

John McPhee will miss out on this weekend’s Sepang Moto3 race as he returns to Europe to have surgery on injuries sustained in a horror smash in the early stages of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix that brought out the red flags.

McPhee lost the front at Lukey Heights, being struck by Andrea Migno as he fell and also causing Jorge Navarro and Enea Bastianini to tumble. But despite initial concerns about his condition, the Scotsman was lucky to escape with only a broken thumb and concussion.

Saxoprint Peugeot team boss Terrell Thien confirming after the race, however, that McPhee will miss this weekend’s race as he returns first to Scotland and then to Italy to undergo surgery on his thumb.

“First the good news is that John seems to be ok so far without any really serious injuries. He is on the way to the hospital in Melbourne where he will undergo further examinations. John suffered in this crash a slight concussion and a broken left thumb. For the latter he needs to undergo surgery this Thursday in Milan by a doctor specialized for this kind of injuries. It’s not a complicated fracture but it needs special attention.

“We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. If John will get the green lights from the doctors in Melbourne, he will return to Glasgow this evening already. But for sure he will sit out the Malaysia race next weekend. We hope a comeback for him for the final race of the season in Valencia.

“Obviously it’s a pity to lose a promising race due to such sad circumstances. John did a great start and was able to fight for the leading positions. So far as we already analysed all data from his bike we can’t see any exceptionally things.”