ALONSO AND AGIUS VISIT ADELAIDE AHEAD OF 2027 AUSTRALIAN GP

MotoGP’s move to Adelaide for the 2027 Australian Grand Prix took a step forward after a delegation visited the city following the Phillip Island race weekend. Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta was joined by Moto2 riders David Alonso and Senna Agius, who are both set to move up to MotoGP next year and were able to see the planned venue first-hand. Agius, who rides for Intact, is expected to be the premier class’s only Australian home rider at the 2027 event.

The group met South Australian government representatives and toured the proposed circuit layout, while promoting the race ahead of its debut from 12 to 14 November 2027. A simulation suggests MotoGP bikes could exceed 340 km/h on the new street circuit.

The visit coincided with federal environmental approval for the project to proceed, subject to conservation measures already agreed by the project team. South Australia’s government also released findings from a three-week public consultation held from 31 August to 20 September. It received more than 6,000 survey responses and 1,000 written submissions.

Residents, community groups and organisations were invited to comment on the circuit design, proposed improvements to community spaces, and areas for planting trees and vegetation in the Adelaide Park Lands. Feedback focused on limiting environmental effects, particularly impacts on mature trees. The project team shared that aim, and says the design process has reduced effects on trees as far as possible while meeting technical and safety requirements. The layout will therefore remain as previously announced. Of the 8,895 trees within the circuit area, 95 per cent are expected to be unaffected.

Ezpeleta welcomed the approval as an important milestone, saying it strengthened confidence as preparations continued for MotoGP’s future Australian venue. He said Adelaide offered an “incredible platform” to bring the sport to more people and attract new fans. A safe, exciting, world-class circuit in the city centre, he added, could create an event that becomes part of Adelaide’s identity.

The ambition, Ezpeleta said, is for the Grand Prix to be more than a race weekend: he wants it to become a major celebration of the sport, closely connected to Adelaide and South Australia, with the community feeling involved and proud to claim it as its own.