The last Scottish rider to win a Grand Prix motorcycle race will be back on home soil in 2025.
John McPhee has inked a deal to ride for Mastermac Honda in the British Superbike Championship, with the 30-year-old from Oban set to race at the top level of British bikesport for the first time after a decade on the world stage – meaning that Scots fans will have a third home hero to cheer when the series visits Knockhill between July 4 and 6.
The Moto3 veteran was the most recent Scottish race winner on the grand-prix stage when he took victory at the 2022 Malaysian GP. It was McPhee’s fourth and final win in a 183 race career in the lightweight class that stretched back more than a decade, before age restrictions saw him forced to move to the World Supersport paddock for two difficult seasons onboard Kawasaki, Ducati and Triumph machinery.
However McPhee is now relishing the chance to race in front of home crowds after joining Mastermac Honda for 2025, becoming the third Scot on the grid after Perth’s Rory Skinner and Haddington’s Lewis Rollo. He said: “I’ve had the privilege of racing at world level for a long time, and Bennetts BSB presents a new and exciting challenge for me. This championship has everything you want as a rider, with the quality of the racing, the variety of circuits and great support from the fans.
“I’m delighted to be joining one of the most experienced and successful teams on the grid, and can’t wait to get started.”
Team manager Steve Hicken said: “It’s sure to be a competitive championship as always, and I’m very happy to have two high calibre riders on board. John brings so much valuable experience and ability, although in some ways he’ll be on a steep learning curve too, while Charlie just needs to keep working hard to push himself towards the top of the leader board more consistently. With thanks to MasterMac, our other sponsors and the wider team, we’ll have a competitive package and aim to cause a few surprises.”