POL ESPARGARO WELCOMES ADELAIDE MOVE FOR AUSTRALIAN GP, CITING SAFETY AND CITY ACCESS

MotoGP’s planned shift for the Australian Grand Prix from Phillip Island to Adelaide has drawn a positive reaction from KTM test rider Pol Espargaro, who said the concept looks promising—provided the new venue meets safety requirements. Espargaro has already watched early visuals of the redesigned circuit and gave his first impression a cautious thumbs-up: “Yes, it looks okay. As long as safety is guaranteed.”

For the 35-year-old, the biggest difference between the two locations is not the track itself, but the surrounding environment. Espargaro explained that his preference is to ride where a major city sits close to the circuit or nearby: “Am liebsten fahre ich an Orte, an denen es eine große Stadt direkt an der Strecke oder zumindest in der Nähe gibt.” In his view, Adelaide’s urban setting offers advantages that Phillip Island’s more remote island location cannot match.

While Phillip Island is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular circuits on the calendar, Espargaro pointed to the downsides of being away from a large metropolitan area—particularly for visitors. He noted that accommodation and leisure options are more limited on the island, whereas a city-based event makes it easier for fans to plan their stay. “Das hilft den Leuten dabei, Hotels zu finden und etwas zu unternehmen,” he said, highlighting how the Adelaide setup should help spectators find hotels and have things to do beyond the race.

Espargaro also linked the venue change to a broader shift in what fans expect from major sporting events. He argued that in recent years, motorsport—and sport in general—has increasingly become about more than just the action on track. “In den vergangenen Jahren haben wir gesehen, dass es im Motorsport und generell im Sport für die Zuschauer nicht mehr nur um den Sport geht,” he said. In his view, a modern Grand Prix must offer more than racing alone.

He described the kind of additional attractions spectators want, listing everyday activities and entertainment options such as shopping, eating out, and even concerts: “The people also want to do other things—like go shopping, go eat, or visit concerts.” Espargaro summed it up as a “360-degree event,” adding that this kind of experience is more achievable when the race is near a large city like Adelaide.

With that in mind, he said he is looking forward to the new Australian MotoGP home: “Ich bin gespannt darauf.”