Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max’s John McPhee secured seventh in Sunday’s Moto3 Japanese GP at Motegi.

Starting from twelfth on the grid, McPhee defended his position in the opening laps before making his way through the pack. Running fifth in the closing stages, the Scot was heading the second group before the last lap saw the duo behind him capitalise, dropping him to seventh.

“Today I was able to fight well in the race,” McPhee said from Motegi. “This has been the weak point for me in the last half of the season, as I have been feeling very fast but not able to pass in the race.

“Today we take this small joy. I think unfortunately for me in the last lap I was in the group with maybe the three hardest brakers in this category, so even to be able to pass them on the brakes was good.

"I just didn't have anything left in the last lap to be able to be a little bit closer to the front. I think that with the way I am riding and the overall speed in the race, it’s a good step in the right direction for these next races.”