ACOSTA MISSES CHANCE TO SECURE FOURTH IN THE STANDINGS AS PHILLIP ISLAND RACE IS CANCELLED

Pedro Acosta left Phillip Island with a promising sprint result but no chance to build on it in Sunday’s Grand Prix, which was cancelled because of severe weather. The KTM rider had hoped for rain after Friday’s practice, believing that although his dry-weather pace was good enough to reach qualifying’s second session, he needed wet conditions to challenge near the front. Rain arrived a day later than he had wished for—and in such force that the race could not go ahead.

Acosta finished fifth in Saturday’s sprint, 3.5 seconds behind the winner. The result was solid, but he and KTM’s RC16 were not at the level they had reached in Austria. Sunday’s cancellation also froze the championship standings for another week. Acosta had moved into fourth after scoring points while Japan’s Ai Ogura failed to score, but the Spaniard felt the wet race could have given him a chance to strengthen that position. With no Grand Prix, that opportunity disappeared.

The fight behind the top three remains tight: Acosta is only 11 points ahead of sixth-placed Fabio Di Giannantonio, with Trackhouse Aprilia rider Ogura between them.

The cancellation was especially poignant as it marked the final Grand Prix at Phillip Island. Acosta, usually pragmatic, spoke warmly about the circuit and its supporters. “It’s a sad ending for the last Grand Prix at Phillip Island, but we should be grateful for all the great races this place has given us over the years,” he said. He recalled earning his first Moto2 podium there after an injury during his rookie season, and returning in 2024 for his first MotoGP appearance at the track. “That was so intense, just like the connection with the enthusiastic people here—thank you for that!”

KTM team manager Aki Ajo also regretted that the race could not take place, particularly with so many fans present and the atmosphere so strong. He said the conditions made the cancellation understandable, while describing KTM’s weekend as “quite solid” and the sprint results as encouraging. The riders’ parade, he added, offered a small gesture of appreciation to Phillip Island’s passionate crowd.