Sunday’s MotoGP race in Australia was cancelled because of bad weather at Phillip Island, bringing a sad end to the legendary circuit’s final race on the world championship calendar. The race was delayed and then abandoned after rain and poor visibility made it impossible to run safely.
Phillip Island (Credits: BBC Sport)
Organisers first cancelled the earlier Moto2 and Moto3 races, then tried to save the headline MotoGP race by pushing it back several hours. The track looked dry in some areas as the rain eased off, but ultimately a lack of visibility meant medical helicopters would be unable to fly over the circuit — and that sealed the decision.
Weather Forces Cancellation of Final MotoGP Race at Phillip Island
Race director Graham Webb explained the safety logic: the helicopter needs a window of around 60 minutes in both places — Phillip Island and Melbourne — in order to start the race. “Just based on safety, we need to make sure that, if we do have any issues, we’re covered, we can get a rider quickly to hospital,” he said.
Most circuits can reach a hospital within 45 minutes by road, which is the regulation, but at Phillip Island the hospital is further than 45 minutes away by road, so organisers rely on the air ambulance. Without a safe flying window, the race could not go ahead.
Phillip Island’s 30-Year MotoGP Legacy Ends in the Rain
The cancellation is a poignant farewell for Phillip Island. Other than two years lost to the coronavirus pandemic, the circuit off the coast of Melbourne has been a fixture on the world championship calendar for 30 years. Australian two-time world champion Casey Stoner celebrated six wins in succession there from 2007 to 2012, while compatriot Mick Doohan sealed his fifth and final world title with victory in the 1998 race. Reigning champion Marc Marquez has won four times at Phillip Island in the top class.
The Australian MotoGP moves to a new street circuit in Adelaide from next season. In the championship race, reigning champion Marc Marquez leads the standings by 10 points with four races left — a title fight that will now resume without a Phillip Island finale.
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
