PHILLIP ISLAND RACE SCHEDULE COULD SHIFT AS STORMS LOOM

MotoGP organisers are monitoring a worsening forecast at Phillip Island, where a schedule change is being discussed to give riders the best possible conditions. Fabio di Giannantonio said during Thursday’s media debrief that talks had taken place about racing “in the best conditions possible”. No alteration has been announced, and the published plan still has Saturday’s Sprint followed by Sunday’s Grand Prix at 2pm local time.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects Friday to be sunny, with temperatures reaching 26°C, though strong winds are forecast. Saturday looks cooler, at around 19°C, with a 95% chance of showers and 6–20mm of rain possible. The showers are considered most likely in the afternoon and evening, so the Sprint could avoid the worst of them.

Sunday presents the greatest concern. Rain is forecast throughout the day, with a 100% chance of 10–30mm and a maximum temperature of 18°C. The conditions could affect all three Grand Prix races.

Phillip Island has already changed its MotoGP timetable in response to severe weather. In 2023, organisers moved the main race to Saturday and swapped it with the Sprint after warnings of gale-force winds, rain and cold. The storm arrived on Sunday: warm-up and the Moto3 race went ahead in heavy rain, but the Moto2 Grand Prix was stopped and the MotoGP Sprint cancelled.

Organisers are expected to watch how the forecast develops before deciding whether to adjust this weekend’s programme. The weather adds uncertainty to a closely fought championship, with Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez separated by just two points.

This is set to be Phillip Island’s final MotoGP event before the Australian Grand Prix moves to Adelaide in 2027.