Sterilgarda Max Racing’s John McPhee is gearing up for his second home race of the Moto3 season at Barcelona.

McPhee has called Andorra home for several years and with the principality just a couple of hours drive from the Catalan capital, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya brings a special bond. With Ayumu Sasaki ruled unfit after his Mugello crash the Scot will be joined by David Salvador on the second Husqvarna this weekend - the Spaniard having already stood in for the missing McPhee in the opening races.

News on Sasaki has proved more uplifting than originally thought with more recent scans excluding the suspected fractured vertebrae with only one compound fracture confirmed in the Japanese rider’s collarbone.

McPhee is hoping to continue his momentum after a sixth place qualifying and leading group effort last time out, before a highside derailed the progress of his second race since returning from his own injury issues.

“Montmelo is like a second home race for me as I’ve been living in Andorra for the last few years,” McPhee explained ahead of round nine. “I always enjoy the track a lot and have had some great races there in the past.

“In Mugello we showed that my speed is good, so I’m looking to continue my form as well as my recovery to achieve the strong results we know we can.”