FINAL AUSTRALIAN MOTOGP AT PHILLIP ISLAND CANCELLED

MotoGP has taken the decision to cancel the final Australian Grand Prix at the world-famous Phillip Island circuit.

MotoGP bikes at Phillip Island. Credit: Gold and Goose.

Sadly for MotoGP fans, there has been no final Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, after the championship’s organisers were forced to cancel today’s race due to bad weather causing visibility issues for the medical helicopter.

A statement from MotoGP said: 

“Due to limited visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter at the Red Bull Grand Prix of Australia, the MotoGP Grand Prix race has been cancelled.

"As a farewell to the Island, the MotoGP riders will do a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans. Pitlane will open for the farewell lap at 15:45 local time."

Jack Miller riding in the wet at Phillip Island.

 

The official cancellation of all races, including Moto2 and Moto3, comes after several updates from MotoGP throughout the day.

Organisers initially cancelled both the Moto3 and Moto2 races before confirming a new start time for the Australian MotoGP, which was two hours later than originally planned.

However, a final update soon followed confirming what was ultimately expected, which was the cancellation of the Australian GP. 

Ducati Lenovo Team Manager, Davide Tardozzi, agree with the decision to cancel the race, telling TNT Sports: 

“I think that, on the race track side, we raced in the past with even worse conditions. But in the end, safety first, so I think that in the worst condition I think the race direction made the most safe decision.”

Jack Miller performing a stoppie at Phillip Island for his home fans.

Phillip Island has been the host of every Australian MotoGP since 1997, although this year’s race was one of the most highly-anticipated due to the series’ expected move to Adelaide in 2027.

Today’s race could have also swayed the 2026 title fight firmly in Marc Marquez’s favour, with the Spaniard due to start from pole position, while championship rival Jorge Martin was ruled out of the Grand Prix following a crash during Saturday’s Sprint.

- Robert Jones

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOTOGP, MOTO2 & MOTO3 BIKES 🏍

 

VR46 STAR MAKES INTRIGUING COMPARISON AFTER DEBUT MOTOGP TEST

Celestino Vietti offered some interesting feedback on the VR46 MotoGP bike after the Valencia test

 

Celestino Vietti, VR46 Ducati, 2025 Valencia test
© Gold and Goose
 

VR46 Academy star Celestino Vietti says the Ducati MotoGP bike he tried on Tuesday at the Valencia test required a riding style “more or less similar” to Moto2.

The Italian was called up by the VR46 squad on Sunday night to stand in for Franco Morbidelli in Tuesday’s Valencia MotoGP test, after the latter injured his wrist in a bizarre startline crash.

Vietti completed 24 laps on the Desmosedici at a best time of 1m32.511s, which was 3.138s off the best pace and 1.314s behind 2026 MotoGP rookie Diogo Moreira.

Rookies always make note of the difference in power and braking performance on a MotoGP bike compared to what they are used to in Moto2.

However, Vietti noted that the braking zones for a MotoGP bike were the same as he used in Moto2, while the way of actually riding was very similar too.

“It was a really special day, a day I will never forget,” he said.

“The bike is impressively fast on the straights, but also the power of the brakes to stop the bike is really impressive.

“You brake like Moto2, but a lot, lot faster.

“So, it was really a special day. I want to say thanks to everybody: Ducati, VR46, and my team in Moto2. I’m so sorry for Franco, who had to miss the test.

“It’s really physical, especially the braking, because you arrive really fast, but the metres you stop the bike are more or less the same [as Moto2].

“The handling I was expecting it to be stiffer, but the bike is light and you can ride it in a really good way, more or less like Moto2.

“So, I didn’t do a lot of laps, so I feel good. Maybe if I did more laps I’d be more tired.”

He added: “Now the Moto2 with the Triumph engine, you have to pick it up, you have to do the drive, a lot of corner speed - a bit more than MotoGP, but it’s something similar.

“So, more or less, the riding style is similar.”

Next year will be the 24-year-old’s sixth season in Moto2, with his performances so far not doing enough to earn a promotion to the premier class.

Asked if he felt this test would boost his immediate MotoGP hopes, he replied: “I don’t think so.

“It’s a present from the team; I really appreciate it.

“Maybe it’s more an extra motivation for me to try to do well in Moto2 and try to have the opportunity to ride it more.”

 - Peter McLaren

MOTOGP WILL HAVE 13 WORLD CHAMPIONS (FIVE IN THE PREMIER CLASS)

© Michelin / PhotoPSP / Lukasz Swiderek

The MotoGP season kicks off in just over a week with the Thai GP… and the grid will feature 13 world champions – five of them with titles in the premier class.

Jorge Martín (Aprilia) was the MotoGP champion last year and will defend his crown, but he had already won the Moto3 title in 2018. Besides the Spaniard, other riders who have claimed the most coveted title include Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), and Marc Márquez (Gresini).

Then, there are riders who have only won championships in the lower classes so far – notably Ai Ogura (Trackhouse/Aprilia), who enters MotoGP after winning the Moto2 title last year.

The promising Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) and Álex Márquez (Gresini/Ducati) have yet to win a MotoGP title. Could one of them achieve it this year?

Additionally, five other riders have only won titles in the lower classes: in Moto2, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46/Ducati), and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR); and in Moto3, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) and Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3).

Motorcycle World Champions on MotoGP 2025 grid

• MotoGP
• Fabio Quartararo
• Francesco Bagnaia
• Joan Mir
• Jorge Martín
• Marc Márquez

• Moto2 and Moto3
• Álex Márquez
• Pedro Acosta
• 
  
• Only Moto2
• Enea Bastianini
• Franco Morbidelli
• Johann Zarco
• Only Moto3
• Brad Binder
• Maverick Viñales

- BERNARDO MATIAS

AI OGURA IS THE 2024 MOTO2 WORLD CHAMPION 🏆

 

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