As MotoGP prepares to bid farewell to Phillip Island after thirty iconic editions, riders reflect on what makes the legendary Australian venue a unique test.
MotoGP is racing at Phillip Island for the last time this weekend. After thirty editions held on the Victorian circuit, the premier class is heading to its first urban track in Adelaide from 2027 onwards, following recent owner Liberty media’s initiative to move racing closer to cities. However, leaving the most picturesque views of the calendar remains a heartbreaking perspective for fans and riders alike, having delivered some of the championship’s most exciting racing over the years.
The end of an era for MotoGP
The consensus is clear: riders will miss Phillip Island.
“It will be so sad that next year we won’t come here,” Pedro Acosta admitted.
“I’m sure I will miss Phillip Island for the next few years,” echoed Jorge Martin, who became the first Sprint winner here in 2024. “Maybe we will come back in the future, but for the moment I will miss it.”
Over the course of the thirty Grands Prix hosted at the venue, the circuit has produced “some of the best races we’ve ever seen in MotoGP”, local star Jack Miller insisted ahead of the weekend’s action.
“When I think of this circuit, countless images spring to mind straight away,” Marco Bezzecchi added. “I also think that beautiful and special races tend to happen on beautiful circuits in particular. For me, it’s a privilege to race here.”
Battling the elements at the Australian GP
Nestled on an island about 86 miles away from Melbourne in the Bass Strait, Phillip Island is home to a variety of wildlife that often make surprise appearances on the track. Its location also makes for extreme weather conditions, with strong winds and unpredictable rain often disrupting track action, much like in 2023 when the main Grand Prix was moved to Saturday.
This year, the elements are likely to crash the party once again.
“As ironic as it gets, I thought we’d get nice weather throughout the weekend after what we’ve had the last couple of years with some trying conditions,” Miller noted during the Thursday press conference. “But it doesn’t look that way. Phillip Island is giving itself a proper send-off with some ever-changing conditions.”
The track layout itself offers interesting technical features, boasting sweeping high-speed sections. It also stands as one of six anticlockwise circuits on the MotoGP calendar, a characteristic reputed to suit Marc Marquez, who holds the record for the most victories on the current grid as a four-time winner here.
“It’s one of my favourites and I really enjoy it,” Marquez explained to the media in Australia. “But it’s a very fast, very narrow track. If you crash, you’re in the gravel in no time.
“It’s one of those tracks that riders have a healthy respect for. It’s a bit like Holland too; you’ve got that respect for it.
“The final section is the one that really impresses, especially on the first few laps, and it’ll continue to impress this year.”
The technical test of Phillip Island
The fast-flowing circuit and its ever-changing weather conditions create an environment where riding style speaks louder than the bike itself. This proved to be the case as recently as last year when Raul Fernandez claimed his maiden MotoGP victory from fourth on the grid, two years after Johann Zarco’s first win happened on the same track during Saturday’s rescheduled feature race.
“Phillip Island is a track where if you haven’t got the bike working amazingly, you can still make up a bit of difference once you get the thing rounded up,” Miller claimed. “Our bike turns pretty good. So as long as we can kind of get it round up, and get it turning all right, you should be in with a shout.
“This place is phenomenal, and on a MotoGP bike riding around here, it’s something special. You’re kind of dancing with the bike the whole way through, trying to manage the shaking, the wheelie and the way the bike deals with the wind.
“You can never fully attack. You’re kind of just playing with the bike the whole time, which makes it all the more fun to ride.”
A unique atmosphere
Aside from the technical aspects, island life holds a distinct appeal for the MotoGP paddock, offering “one of the best atmospheres around the whole calendar,” Acosta deemed. “The fans are so close to us. Also, the track is one of these legendary tracks around the championship, like Mugello, Jerez and other ones around.”
“The vibe here is great,” Martin confirmed. Also, you’re in a house with all this wildlife where you can surf and everything. So it’s a nice place, and I always enjoyed it.”
For its 30th and final edition at Phillip Island, the Australian GP is sure to offer plenty of spectacle as wind and rain loom over the coast, offering opportunities for riders to shine one last time here on a MotoGP bike.
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