4. John McPhee (Moto3)
For a rider in his first full season in the Grand Prix paddock, John McPhee has had a seriously impressive 2013. Without KTM power underneath him, the Scottish youngster has battled bravely in his pursuit of championship points but prior to Japan, his best result remained eleventh place at Jerez and Le Mans.
Motegi brought a breakthrough of sorts for John although you wouldn’t have predicted that kind of outcome after he qualified 22nd but the Oban rider was in inspired form on Sunday, rising seven places on the opening lap before becoming embroiled in a four-man fight with Jack Miller, Romano Fenati and Alexis Masbou, all like McPhee on FTR Honda machinery.
With no-one enjoying a straight-line speed advantage, the fight went all the way to the final corner with Masbou crashing out within sight of the chequered flag and although Fenati and Miller finished metres ahead of him, McPhee crossed the line in seventh for his best result in Grand Prix racing by some distance.
Although his place on the 2014 grid hasn’t yet been made official, John’s performances have surely ensured he will have a future in the Grand Prix paddock and there is plenty to suggest it will be a very bright one indeed.
(Photo Credit: MotoGP.com)
