DOVIZIOSO DISMISSES CONSPIRACY CLAIMS OVER AUSTRALIAN GP CANCELLATION

Marc Marquez lost a major chance to strengthen his MotoGP title position when Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix was cancelled, but the decision may also have spared him a dangerous ride in the rain at Phillip Island.

Jorge Martin fractured his wrist in a Sprint clash with Marquez and was ruled out of the main race. Starting from pole, Marquez could have added 25 points while Martin scored none, potentially stretching his 10-point championship lead to 35. The race was abandoned because poor visibility prevented the medical helicopter from operating, so no points were awarded.

Ducati wanted the race to go ahead, both for the spectacle and the opportunity to gain ground on its rivals. Yet the conditions carried a serious risk for Marquez, who has already missed the French and Catalan rounds this season after foot and shoulder surgery. His surgeon has described him as riding with “one and a half arms”.

Journalist Mela Chercoles said the conditions were “treacherous, even for MotoGP”, adding that it was extremely cold. Although Marquez had been the favourite, Chercoles noted, “you still have to finish the race.” She suggested that while the cancellation may have benefited Martin, Marquez could have avoided a crash or further injury. DAZN’s Borja Gonzalez said a Ducati source had expressed the same view.

Gonzalez said Ducati recognised the scale of the opportunity: Marquez could have taken the full 25 points while his absent rival missed out. But, he added, the team also understood that the risk of a fall was high. “You really can’t afford to fall or get injured,” Gonzalez said, warning that excessive confidence or ambition might have left Ducati regretting the decision to race.

The cancellation has also prompted conspiracy claims that MotoGP wanted to prevent Marquez from building a bigger championship lead and keep the title fight close. Former Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso dismissed the speculation, saying the helicopter’s inability to fly was a technical reason to stop the race. “If that’s the point, there’s nothing more to say,” he said on his YouTube channel. Dovizioso called the theories “laughable”, adding that people were making claims without knowing how decisions were made. He noted that accusations of conspiracy in Marquez’s favour had been heard in recent years, and said it was now “the tables have turned”.

Marquez had strengthened his case as favourite by winning Saturday’s Sprint after Martin crashed out, and by taking pole with a 1.494-second margin over his brother Alex. His 1:34.203 qualifying lap suggested he could have been a formidable contender in the Grand Prix. Instead, the standings remain unchanged, with Marquez 10 points ahead and four rounds left.

Martin is expected to try to return at this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, but must first be cleared by MotoGP chief medical officer Angel Charte. Whether he races in Malaysia or waits until Qatar could shape the title contest; even if declared fit, his ability to compete at full strength remains uncertain.

That leaves Marquez facing a strategic choice in Malaysia if Martin is absent or struggling: push hard to maximise the championship advantage, or ride cautiously to secure points. A mistake could give Martin an opportunity to recover ground.