PETRONAS Sprinta Racing optimistic of Misano run this weekend

Michelle Liew

September 10, 2020

John McPhee and Khairul Idham Pawi set sights for a great comeback this weekend.

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing riders ready for Misano | Photo credits: SIC

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Team riders John McPhee and Khairul Idham Pawi will be reunited to resume their Moto3 Championship bid in the Grand Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini this weekend. The young Malaysian just returned from surgery on his injured finger but is confident of making a great comeback.

Kicking off the first of three GPs in a row, McPhee is keen on bouncing back from the setback he had in the Styrian GP. This would not be a difficult task as McPhee has produced stellar results at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli as the Scot picked up a podium finish there last year.

Teammate KIP will be returning to the track after withdrawing from the Austrian GP and undergoing surgery on his injured finger on August 25th. The young gun is eager to get back to racing and adapt his riding style post-surgery. After a last medical check-up in Barcelona yesterday, the KIP will have to pass a final exam in the medical centre of the circuit to be declared fit for the weekend.

John McPhee (PETRONAS Sprinta Racing)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: VIsordown

“I’m really excited about the next three races in a row, but more than that in the next 11 weeks we have nine races! It’s a very hectic but exciting period coming up: I feel ready. I’ve enjoyed the two weeks of this small summer break. I have been able to focus on certain areas of my training and enjoy a bit of rest as well. I like the Misano circuit a lot as it’s somewhere that I’ve had some good success in the past; the most recent of which was last year, when I finished the race second and was strong all weekend. That and the new surface mean that I’m very excited to arrive at the track and hope to be back at the front fighting for another podium.”

Khairul Idham Pawi (PETRONAS Sprinta Racing)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Bikes Republic

“I saw the doctor yesterday and he confirmed the strength in that hand, it isn’t too bad. I still have a little bit of pain from where they operated, but it isn’t much. I’m looking forward to this first race back after my surgery, but I know I am going to have to adapt to the bike again. It’s only been a short time since the operation so I don’t want to expect too much from this weekend, but this was the right thing to do – it is better than how the finger was before. It was important that I do this to make progress. Hopefully, it will continue to heal quickly and we can make progress. For now, though, I am looking forward to being back with my team and to be going racing again.”