WorldSSP: Mcphee signs for Vince64 Kawasaki

John McPhee will join the World Supersport grid for 2023, adding another ex-Grand Prix rider to the grid. He will join the Vince64 by Puccetti Racing team, using the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

The four-time Grand Prix winner will move to the Supersport class after spending the last 10 years in the Moto3 class. He will compete in his first World championship season away from the Grand Prix paddock.

The Vince64 team has spent multiple seasons in the Italian CIV championship, with great success. Puccetti racing will support the team, providing them with championship-winning experience.

In Moto3, it would take four years to claim his first win, at the 2016 Czech Republic Grand Prix onboard a Peugeot. He would finish his time in the championship, with four race wins and 16 podiums.

2022 Would be McPhee’s final year in Moto3, due to the age limit in the class being 28. He would ride for the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max team and would gift them with a final race win at Malaysia.

McPhee has raced in the middleweight category before, wildcarding in Moto2 at Aragon for the Petronas racing team. He would replace fellow Petronas rider Jake Dixon, and the Scotsman would finish in 20^th position.

John McPhee said: “I’m so excited and very motivated about this new project and to start the next chapter of my racing career. World Supersport and Superbike was a childhood dream of mine and finally I have the opportunity for it to be true. We have an exciting year ahead in where I’m sure we can achieve great things.

“Huge thank you to Vincenzo from Vince64 for this opportunity, and to both Manuel Puccetti and Max Biaggi for believing in me and making it possible.”

Vincenzo Scandizzo added: “After the wonderful experience made in the CIV with the Ducati and with the rider Andrea Mantovani, we have now arrived at the Supersport World Championship. A project that fills me with enthusiasm and for which I have to thank Manuel Puccetti. It’s not for nothing that my team is called Vince64 by Puccetti Racing.

“To start this adventure we chose the rider John McPhee, who was recommended to me by both Puccetti and Max Biaggi. I’m sure John will be able to be a protagonist right away, even if this is a category with many bikes and many competitive riders. I’m happy to be the Team Principal of this team, and I can’t wait to start testing and especially the races.”

Image from Vince64