After Japan, it’s time for Phillip Island, the easternmost race of the MotoGP world championship. Here are the weather conditions and MotoGP schedule in Australia!
The Pecco-Martin rivalry is about to reach a new chapter. The head-to-head between the two is becoming more and more thrilling: after Bagnaia’s double victory in Motegi, the reigning champion has closed the gap to just 10 points behind Jorge. One thing is certain: the rider who wins the world championship will once again be riding a Ducati.
The Circuit: Phillip Island
The Australian round has been part of the MotoGP championship since 1997. The circuit is located on Phillip Island, from which it takes its name. It is considered a spectacular circuit, not only because of its stunning location perched on the Australian cliffs offering breathtaking views of the ocean, but also due to the layout: 12 turns, with only two slow hairpins (turn 4 and turn 10). The rest are fast, wide-sweeping corners.
There’s only one straight, running parallel to pit lane, 900 meters long, and featuring a downhill section that allows riders to reach top speeds. The only home rider is Jack Miller, who is set to move to Pramac next year.
UK SCHEDULE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GP
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
12:45 AM – FP1
5:00 AM – PR
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
12:10 AM – FP2
12:50 AM – Qualifying
5:00 AM – Sprint Race
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
4:00 AM – Race
As for the weather, no rain is expected, but strong winds may hit the track. Furthermore, the race could be tricky to manage as temperatures between Saturday and Sunday might drop by as much as 10°C. This means the practice sessions won’t provide conditions similar to those expected for the race, making Sunday’s preparations more challenging.
Photo: Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin