23 October 2022 – Sepang International Circuit – Malaysia
Not even the most beautiful fairy tale could have had such a beautiful ending. An incredible and deserved victory of a fantastic guy. Our John after a very difficult start to the season, with a very complex back injury, which kept him away from racing for a long time, returns to victory! And it’s an incredible victory, after a comeback from the 22nd position!
The second position of Ayumu, who in this 2022 gets his ninth podium, is the seal of a wonderful day.
It is the first double in the history of Husqvarna, thanks to which Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing gained the third position in the Teams’ standings. This result repays the whole team for the difficult moments faced in this last period.
This incredible double is the right moment for our Team Owner, the 6 times World Champion Max Biaggi, to make an important statement.
JOHN MCPHEE : “I’m proud of myself, I dug so deep. It has been such a tough season and weekend here. It was a tough day yesterday but now I’m so happy for the guys who have been supporting me. One last win in Moto3 but we still have another chance in Valencia.”
AYUMU SASAKI : “Today I gave everything. I heard that Dietrich [Mateschitz] had passed away and I just wanted to give this race to him. I pushed for all I could and will always give my wings for the championship! At least it was John who beat me today! I know it hasn’t been the easiest season for him. I tried to pass at the end but was a bit too hot into the last corner. I’m happy anyway!”
MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “A wonderful double, after a very difficult period, in which it was necessary to make painful decisions. We started the World Championship Moto3 four years ago and every year we got at least one win. In the debut year there were even three, like this year. We had the pleasure and honor to bring three different drivers back to victory and we brought a young driver to the first victory. All this fills me with pride and satisfaction. We started very far away and after a few years we set up a winning team, but now for me the time has come for new challenges. Valencia will represent the last race in Moto3 of the Max Racing Team. I want to thank Sterilgarda Alimenti, which has always supported me, Husqvarna Motorcycles, KTM and all those who in recent years have contributed to achieving these results.
My passion is inexhaustible and will always represent the engine of new goals with which to measure, already in 2023.”
Results PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia 2022 – Race
1 John MCPHEE (Husqvarna) 38’04.589, 2. Ayumu SASAKI (Husqvarna) + 0.048, 3. Sergio GARCIA (GASGAS) + 0.146.
World Championship Classification Moto3 2022 – After Race 19
World Champion – Izan GUEVARA (GASGAS) 294 pts; 2. Sergio GARCIA (GASGAS) 241 pts; 3. Dennis FOGGIA (Honda) 233 pts;
4. Ayumu SASAKI (Husqvarna) 227 pts; 10. John MCPHEE (Husqvarna) 97 pts.
