20 April 2022 – Autódromo Internacional do Algarve – Portugal

Just over a month after his injury, we are pleased to announce John’s return to the track.

Remember that our driver suffered an injury during a training in motard, reporting the composed fracture of two vertebrae. This month John underwent intense physiotherapy sessions, in order to consolidate the fracture and return to the track in a short time. In the only race he participated in this championship, he finished in fifth place, earning eleven points.

As for Ayumu, he was very competitive in all four races held so far. In the first race unfortunately, a technical problem has taken away the chance to get a certain victory. In Argentina he took a third place, while in the previous race, held at the Austin circuit, he fought until the last corner for the podium, managing to get a good fourth place.

The Portuguese Grand Prix will be held at the Portimão circuit and represents the first race of this Championship in Europe. The track is characterized by large variations in altitude and curves of all kinds. All this makes this 4592m circuit highly spectacular and much loved by drivers of every class.

Here are the statements of Ayumu, John and our Team Owner Max Biaggi, about the weekend that is about to begin.

JOHN MCPHEE : “I feel much better every day. We’ve been working hard the last few weeks to get back as soon as possible. The fractures have healed well and this allows me to return with good health. I am very excited to meet my team and get back to work.”

AYUMU SASAKI : “I am very excited to start the European rounds in Portimao! I felt very good during the official tests of this year and I am very excited to go back there. The last two races have been very good, after a challenging beginning of the season. I am very motivated, and we are always competitive. I just can’t wait to go back there and try to finish on the podium.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “After more than a month I am very happy that both our drivers are back on track. John has recovered from the injury and the return on a very physical track, like that of Portimao, will put him to the test. As for Ayumu, in the two races he finished, he got a third and a fourth place, fighting until the last corner for the podium. The track of Portimao is very nice and I hope that our drivers can both express themselves at their best.”

Statistics

Last year two races were held on the Portimao circuit. During the first, held in April, the victory in the Moto3 class was obtained by P. Acosta, who preceded D. Foggia and A. Migno on the podium. The pole was obtained by A. Migno, with a time of 1’47.423 and an average of 153.8 Km/h. In the second race, which was held at the beginning of November, it was S. Garcia who took the pole, with a time of 1’47.274 and an average of 154.1 Km/h. In that race P. Acosta won, ahead of A. Migno and N. Antonelli.

The All Time Lap Record was obtained in 2020 by J. Masia, with a time of 1’47.398 and an average of 153.9 km/h. 1’47.610 represents the Best Race Lap, obtained last year by G. Rodrigo, at an average speed of 153.6 km/h. The Best Pole has been owned by A. Migno since 2021, with a time of 1’47.423 and an average of 153.8 km/h. Finally the Top Speed was obtained in 2021 by our driver A. Sasaki, who reached the speed of 249.4 km/h.

Schedule – Local Time (GMT +1)

Here is the schedule to follow the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing this weekend.

Thursday 21 April
17:00 – Press Conference

Friday 22 April
09:00 – 09:40 – FP1 Moto3
13:15 – 13:55 – FP2 Moto3

Saturday 23 April
09:00 – 09:40 – FP3 Moto3
12:35 – 12:50 – Q1 Moto3
13:00 – 13:15 – Q2 Moto3

Sunday 24 April
09:20 – 09:30 – Warm-Up Moto3
11:20 – Race Moto3