MotoGP race canceled
The Australian MotoGP finale at Phillip Island has been officially canceled due to bad weather on Sunday leading to visibility issues for the medical helicopter.
MotoGP Statement: “Due to limited visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter during the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix, the MotoGP Grand Prix race has been canceled.
“As a farewell to the island, the MotoGP riders will take a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans.
“Pitlane will open for the farewell tour at 3:45 p.m. local time.”
New start time for MotoGP, Moto2 also canceled
2:00 p.m. Update: Sunday’s Phillip Island MotoGP race has a “tentative” pit lane opening time of 4:00 p.m. (5:00 a.m. UK), two hours later than scheduled, following significant delays to Sunday’s on-track action due to bad weather.
However, if this goes ahead, MotoGP will be the only race of the day, with the Moto2 Australian Grand Prix joining Moto3 in being officially canceled.
MotoGP Statement: “While we wait for visibility to improve, the new provisional pit opening time for the MotoGP Grand Prix at the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix is now 4:00 p.m. local time.
“Due to delays caused by poor visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter, the Moto3 and Moto2 races have both been cancelled.”
Raindrops on Phillip Island The Final Roar sign, Australian MotoGP 2026.
© Gold and Goose
Moto3 race canceled
The Australian Moto3 race has been officially canceled due to continued weather delays at Phillip Island.
New race start times for the MotoGP and Moto2 categories are expected to be released soon, in the 2:00 p.m. update.
MotoGP Statement: ‘Due to delays caused by poor visibility affecting the medical helicopter, the decision was made to cancel the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix Moto3 race.
“Further updates regarding the provisional MotoGP Grand Prix schedule will be provided at 2:00 p.m. local time as previously reported.”
Rain delay Sunday at Phillip Island, 2026 Australian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
New delay announced, MotoGP race first
12:30 Update: MotoGP has announced a further delay of on-track racing by up to 3 p.m. due to persistent bad weather limiting the visibility of the medical helicopter, and that MotoGP is now expected to be the first race of the day.
The priority is clearly to try to organize the premier class Grand Prix and then see if it is possible for Moto2 and perhaps Moto3 to move forward depending on the track conditions and the light on the day.
Maximo Quiles has already been crowned the 2026 Moto3 champion, but the MotoGP and Moto2 titles remain hotly contested – even though Jorge Martin missed today’s MotoGP race due to injury.
The final MotoGP to be held at the legendary Phillip Island circuit before the event moves to Adelaide was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., following Moto3 and Moto2. The warm-up has already been canceled, but the drivers gained wet experience from Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions.
Rain delay Sunday at Phillip Island, 2026 Australian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
MotoGP Statement: ‘Poor visibility continues to affect medical helicopter operations at the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix.
“It is now confirmed that there will be no on-track action until 3 p.m. local time. Once the on-track action can begin, the MotoGP Grand Prix will take place first.
“The next update will be posted at 2 p.m..”
MotoGP warm-up canceled
11:00 Update: MotoGP confirms that the warm-up has been canceled due to ongoing visibility issues and that there will be no on-track action until 1am local time. It’s still raining a lot at the moment.
Rain delay Sunday at Phillip Island, 2026 Australian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
Additional delay
10:45 a.m. Update: MotoGP has announced that an 11am start for the delayed MotoGP warm-up at Phillip Island will not be possible due to ongoing visibility issues affecting the operation of the medical helicopter.
There are rumors that the ten-minute warm-up could be canceled entirely and the entire race pushed back to this afternoon. Moto3 was scheduled to start at 11 a.m., Moto2 at 12:15 p.m. and MotoGP at 2 p.m.
Poor visibility delays Sunday’s action at Phillip Island
Sunday’s Australian MotoGP track events have been delayed due to poor visibility preventing the medical helicopter from operating at Phillip Island.
Rain delay Sunday at Phillip Island, 2026 Australian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
After a dry Friday, showers arrived on Saturday morning but cleared in time for the afternoon Sprint race, won by Marc Marquez.
Marquez starts today with a ten-point lead in the World Championship over Jorge Martin, who was ruled out after fracturing his right forearm in Saturday’s race.
However, much heavier rain is forecast for Sunday, with between 15 and 35 mm expected, accompanied by strong winds and cool temperatures.
The MotoGP warm-up was scheduled for 9:40 a.m. local time, followed by the Moto3 Grand Prix at 11 a.m. and the Moto2 race at 12:15 p.m.
Australia’s final MotoGP race at Phillip Island is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
Marc Marquez, Australian MotoGP 2026.
© Gold and Goose
However, on-track action is not expected to begin until 11am local time, starting with the MotoGP warm-up.
An official MotoGP press release explains:
MotoGP on-track action delayed
“Due to reduced visibility affecting the flight capability of the medical helicopter, the MotoGP track events at the Red Bull Australian Grand Prix will be delayed until an expected improvement in conditions around 11am local time.”
“The first session which should then take place will be the warm-up session for the MotoGP category, as soon as the conditions improve.
“Further updates will follow once confirmed.”
The seven riders still in contention for the MotoGP title after the Phillip Island Sprint.
© Peter McLaren
Gn sports
