Despite starting from pit lane, John McPhee was able to score his first World Championship podium during a frantic Red Bull Indianapolis Moto3 race with the help of fellow Racing Steps Foundation athlete Jack Harvey.

Prior to the race start, rain had filled the skies of Indianapolis but it was unclear if it would continue or halt. Drama filled the grid as all the riders of the Moto3 World Championship attempted to choose a tyre to run.

McPhee chose to change his wets for slicks, starting from pit lane as a result, on the advice of British Indy Lights driver Harvey, who has form at the track. Even with a pit start, McPhee would quickly see himself with a huge advantage, the rest of the Moto3 field forced to change tyres and spend upwards of 40 seconds in the pits.

This granted the World Championship’s only Scottish rider a comfortable margin over his rivals, able to avoid unnecessary risk on his way to second. 2015 has so far been a tough season for McPhee and his RTG team, this podium should provide them with a much needed motivational boost.

“You know it was a team choice, we had nothing to lose from back in 18th place. We weren’t sure what was going to happen, if it was going to stay wet or have a dry line emerge so we said OK let’s gamble, put the slicks on,” said McPhee.

“It was a gamble with the slicks, we took it a little bit late but it paid off. We had Indy Lights driver Jack Harvey in the garage. He drives here and he said that the track dries so quickly that if there is no more rain, slicks are the way forward.

“It’s been a difficult season for the team, we have been struggling. We have been trying to keep the motivation going, pushing really hard and to finish the race there was great. Absolutely delighted.”