Australian Grand Prix called off as rain spoils Phillip Island sendoff

In practice, the final Australian MotoGP at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit has been called off due to heavy rain, ruining the farewell for one of the championship's most beloved circuits.

Key points

• It was a crushing blow for the sold-out crowd at Phillip Island on Sunday before the Australian Grand Prix moves to the streets of Adelaide next year.
• "Due to limited visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter the MotoGP Grand Prix race has been cancelled, " MotoGP remarked in an official note.
• Martin held the championship lead heading into the weekend but finds himself 10 points behind Marquez after failing to finish Saturday's sprint after a gruesome crash.
• The Pramac Racing rider, a solid performer in the wet, cut a dejected figure when he was interviewed after completing his lap.
• Honestly, all of you have done a fantastic job turning out for Phillip Island.

Meanwhile, the Moto2 and Moto3 races were cancelled first, and the MotoGP race was delayed by two hours due to the weather before organisers threw in the towel and finally called it off at 3: 40pm (04: 40 GMT).

"The MotoGP riders will do a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans." Riders say farewell to fans in final parade.

In practice, the dark clouds and pelting rain brought down the visibility around the circuit, affecting the medical helicopter. It would take 45 minutes to reach the circuit from mainland Melbourne in an emergency.

Other than two years lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, the seaside track south of Melbourne had been a fixture on the world championship calendar for 30 years and produced some of Australian motorcycling's most memorable moments.

Australian two-time world champion Casey Stoner celebrated six wins there in succession from 2007 to 2012 while compatriot Mick Doohan sealed his fifth and final world title with victory in the 1998 race.

In practice, the raincoat-clad fans who persevered through the precipitation were treated to a farewell lap from the MotoGP riders. This person waved as they gradually produced their way around a soaking wet track.

Home racer Jack Miller did his best to entertain his supporters with a series of tricks, including a stand-up wheelie over the finish line, before heading over to the grandstand and throwing his gloves and boots into the crowd. Miller dejected, sigh of relief for Martin.

For context, the Pramac Racing rider, a solid performer in the wet, cut a dejected figure when he was interviewed after completing his lap.

"This is a tough pill to swallow, " remarked the 31-year-old. This person will be leaving MotoGP at the end of the season after more than a decade to join Pata Maxus Yamaha in the World Superbike Championship.

You know, I was praying for rain all weekend. We obtained the rain, but obviously, we weren't organised enough to secure the racing going, so it's a tough one.

"You guys deserve better. Honestly, all of you have done a fantastic job turning out for Phillip Island."

Rain had been projected for the weekend, but MotoGP did not revive its 2023 strategy for the circuit when the Grand Prix was moved ahead to Saturday and the sprint scheduled for Sunday. That sprint race three years ago was eventually called off.

Meanwhile, the cancellation of the race additionally concluded the opportunity for seven-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez to extend his lead in the championship standings, particularly after his title rival Jorge Martin was declared unfit to compete in the race after fracturing his wrist.

On Sunday, Martin's Aprilia team remarked he would not travel back to Spain to undergo treatment, even so, boosting the 2024 champion's hopes of racing at next week's Malaysian Grand Prix and remaining in the title fight.

Taken together, the developments around australian Grand Prix called off as rain spoils Phillip Island sendoff point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.