John McPhee boosted by podium challenge in Le Mans

John McPhee didn’t know whether to laugh or cry after the standout ride of his Moto3 career in Le Mans last weekend.

McPhee’s eighth position doesn’t tell the true story of a stellar ride from the Scot, who was only 1.221s off winner Jack Miller and one second from claiming a stunning maiden rostrum in his second season with the Racing Team Germany squad.

Not since his British championship days in 2010 has he come so close to the podium and he told MCN: “I am really chuffed and it is an awesome result. To finish 1.2s off the win is nothing, but the best thing is the confidence I’ve got from running up there. To be stuck in the front group for the whole race is the first time I’ve done it in my entire GP career and that’s a great benchmark to build from. I feel like I’ve had the pace all year to do this but the results never really came with my speed.”