Moto3: McPhee stuck in Australia after Phillip Island crash

Moto3 racer John McPhee will be forced to remain in Australia for up to five weeks, after the injuries he sustained in a crash during last week’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island were deemed more serious than initially thought.

McPhee was involved in a multi-bike collision at Lukey Heights, and was struck by Andrea Migno after he fell from his Saxoprint Peugeot machine. Initially diagnosed with a broken thumb and bruising, further examination discovered more serious injuries.

Further tests in the St. Kilda Alfred Hospital in Melbourne diagnosed the Scotsman with two punctured lungs, leaving him with a 40% reduction in lung capacity and unable to fly for four to five weeks.

That means that he will not only miss both this week’s Malaysian Grand Prix and the end-of-season race in Valencia, but may also be forced to sit out the beginning of pre-season testing for 2017 as well.

His parents, who have joined him in Australia, have been able to drive him upcountry in Australia to an orthopaedic surgery specialist, where he will undergo surgery on his damaged hand.