Race cancelled due to weather

The MotoGP Grand Prix at the Australian circuit of Phillip Island was cancelled on Sunday due to heavy rain, affecting all three classes including Moto3 and Moto2. The 18th round of the MotoGP World Championship was initially scheduled to start at 14:00 local time (04:00 in France, GMT+1) but was postponed for over two hours due to adverse weather conditions.

Race called off for safety

Organizers eventually raised the red flag around 16:00 due to downpours and limited visibility, which would have hindered the medical helicopter from taking off in case of a serious accident. The decision was made to prioritize the safety of riders and spectators in the unpredictable weather.

Impact on championship standings

The cancellation benefits Spanish rider Jorge Martin, who was unable to compete due to a broken wrist. The provisional world championship standings for riders remain unchanged, with Marc Marquez leading on his Ducati with 365 points, followed by Martin on an Aprilia factory machine with 355 points and Marco Bezzecchi on the same machine with 315 points.

Riders show appreciation to fans

Despite the cancellation, the riders were able to complete an honor lap, a gesture that provided some consolation for the large audience that had arrived in heavy rain gear. The organizers had planned for the riders to make a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans.

Mixed feelings from Aprilia Racing

The Aprilia Racing team expressed mixed emotions, with CEO Massimo Rivola noting that while Jorge Martin might be relieved, Marco Bezzecchi was likely disappointed, as he saw an opportunity to improve his championship standing. Rivola expressed sadness for the fans who had come early in the day, stating that the event deserved a better ending.

End of an era for Phillip Island

Phillip Island, the most appreciated circuit by riders, has said goodbye to the MotoGP in Australia after nearly 30 years of Grand Prix. The races will now take place on an urban circuit in Adelaide in 2027. Marc Marquez, the seven-time MotoGP world champion and current title holder, was expected to start from pole position and potentially secure an eighth world title before the upcoming end-of-year GPs in Malaysia, possibly Qatar, Portugal, and the final in Valencia, Spain.

Jorge Martin’s return near

Martin is expected to return soon, as Aprilia indicated that his wrist fracture from a fall at 180 km/h during Saturday's sprint race was not as severe as initially feared, and he would not need to return to Spain for surgery.