{"id":296852,"date":"2026-02-22T16:39:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/296852\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T16:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T16:39:24","slug":"motogp-riders-mourn-loss-of-favourite-phillip-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/296852\/","title":{"rendered":"MotoGP riders mourn loss of \u2018favourite\u2019 Phillip Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"MotoGP
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMotoGP riders at Phillip Island. Image: Russell Colvin<\/p>\n

The Victorian Government let the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix slip from its grasp after MotoGP promoters demanded the race be moved from Phillip Island to Albert Park.<\/p>\n

With the parties at an impasse, the South Australian Government swooped on the opportunity to bring motorcycle racing to Adelaide.<\/p>\n

The demise of Phillip Island has been met with widespread disappointment from MotoGP riders, many who labelled it their favourite circuit.<\/p>\n

However, that disappointment has been tempered with intrigue and excitement over Adelaide.<\/p>\n

Though grand prix racing has been held on street circuits previously, Adelaide is poised to become the first true street circuit in the modern MotoGP era.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be super interesting. I am very curious how the track will be,\u201d said factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Phillip Island was one of my favourite tracks, but I am sure that we will change for something even cooler. Let\u2019s wait, and let\u2019s see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jack<\/p>\n

Jack Miller exits pit lane at Phillip Island. Image: Russell Colvin<\/p>\n

Phillip Island has long been lauded for its high speeds, long radius corners and spectacular vistas.<\/p>\n

It does have its drawbacks, though. The circuit is two hours away from the Melbourne central business district and its facilities have lagged.<\/p>\n

One of the main reasons for the Victorian Government wanting to keep the race regional was to support the Bass Coast Shire, which benefits from the annual pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

That will no longer be the case in 2027.<\/p>\n

It could prove to be a double blow for the region with an air of expectation that the production bike-based WorldSBK will move to The Bend Motorsport Park.<\/p>\n

MotoGP and WorldSBK are both promoted by MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna Sports).<\/p>\n

Bezzechi\u2019s teammate Jorge Martin said he had \u201ca bit of mixed feelings\u201d over the switch from Phillip Island to Adelaide.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a pity that we lose Phillip Island because I think it is my favourite track and it\u2019s so fun to ride there,\u201d said the 2024 champion.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s also really interesting to go to Adelaide to get to know a new city, to get to know a new track.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always enjoy new tracks because I get used to it really fast. For sure, it will be really interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Sam Shahin scored MotoGP for South Australia<\/a><\/p>\n

KTM Tech3 riders Maverick Vinales and Ennea Bastianini saw both sides of the debate.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously Phillip Island is a track where all the riders love to ride,\u201d said Vinales.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always have to understand the championship and understand the organisation, which is always looking for the betterment of the riders and for the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to look at it as a positive thing, so I will keep my mind in very positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bastianini added: \u201cTo replace Phillip Island will be not easy because it was an iconic MotoGP track \u2013 I think the fastest on the calendar.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe place was really beautiful but I think also Adelaide will be very nice and I\u2019m curious to try it.\u201d<\/p>\n

VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio was more emotional about the loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a punch on my heart,\u201d said the satellite Ducati rider.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s the most beautiful track in the world. I still believe that we can make something to continue to race there, because I think MotoGP deserves a track like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, if I have to say that I\u2019m happy that it\u2019s out of the calendar, I\u2019m not happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jack<\/p>\n

Jack Miller at Phillip Island during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

The introduction of a bona fide street circuit to the calendar comes after Formula 1 owners Liberty Media acquired the two-wheel championship.<\/p>\n

Since Liberty Media acquired F1 in 2017, it has added four street circuits to the calendar \u2013 Las Vegas, Miami, Jeddah, and soon Madrid.<\/p>\n

Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez said fans should take a wait-and-see approach to how MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group tackles the street circuit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you see the F1 in the past, if you see how they advanced the sport a lot, it\u2019s for this kind of thing. I think MotoGP is in a really good way,\u201d said Fernandez, who won the 2025 race at Phillip Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really agree with this kind of thing. Sometimes it\u2019s quite difficult for us because we have a lot of things to do, but I think if we want our sport to be bigger and bigger, we need to make these kinds of things. So I am happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first thing that we have to see is the safety for us. If the track is safe, I don\u2019t care about where we go. I mean, if it\u2019s better for the sport, will be fine for us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s good because I am a MotoGP rider, but also I love this sport. If it\u2019s good for the sport, I will be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island is scheduled for October 23-25.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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