The 2026 Australian MotoGP Grand Prix race at Phillip Island has been canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
“Poor visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter” meant that track races scheduled for the day in none of the three Grand Prix racing categories could ever get underway – as there was never sufficient respite in the weather to even attempt a race.
MotoGP first canceled the Moto3 race, then the Moto2 race, then finally canceled the premier class event at 3:35 p.m. local time – after admitting that hopes of starting the race at 4:30 p.m. were in vain.
In lieu of the race, MotoGP riders will “lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans.”
It will function as a “farewell lap” to the Phillip Island circuit, which will be replaced next year as host of the Australian GP by the Adelaide street circuit.
Race organizers confirmed they are “working with our ticketing partners to facilitate the process of full refunds for Sunday ticket holders and partial refunds for multi-day ticket holders.”
“To all the fans who came to Phillip Island today, despite the conditions, thank you. Your support is a powerful reminder of the love for MotoGP and the special place Phillip Island holds in Australian motorsport,” they said in a statement.
“While this is not how anyone wanted the MotoGP trip to Phillip Island to end, it in no way diminishes the incredible legacy of this event. We thank the fans, riders, teams, officials, volunteers, partners and the Phillip Island community who have made this event so special for so many years.”
The premier category, MotoGP, leaves at least Phillip Island after competing in a sprint race in the dry. The Moto3 and Moto2 riders will leave without having raced, having completed 1,446 laps and 1,500 laps respectively during practice and qualifying the previous two days.
The weather was long expected to be at its worst this weekend – but MotoGP did not pursue a repeat of its 2023 strategy, when it successfully ran the long-distance grand prix on Saturday, then scheduled the sprint on Sunday (and then canceled it).
Championship leader Marc Marquez leaves Phillip Island with a 10-point lead over Jorge Martin with four rounds remaining (while question marks remain over the Qatar Grand Prix).
Sunday’s cancellation comes as a huge reprieve for the injured Martin, who is expected to attempt to compete next weekend at Sepang.
Gn sports
