MotoGP Australia: Moto2, Moto3 cancelled, GP delayed
The newsroomUpdated on October 25, 20263 minPhillip Island: heavy rain and a grounded medical helicopter cancel the Moto2 and Moto3 races, and the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix is pushed back to 4:30pm local.
Key point
At Phillip Island the weather has wiped out the Moto2 and Moto3 races; the MotoGP Grand Prix, the only race of Sunday, is pushed back to 4:30pm local time.
The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was turned upside down on Sunday 25 October 2026: rain and wind led to the cancellation of the Moto2 and Moto3 races, and MotoGP has been pushed back by several hours. It will be the only race of the day, if conditions allow.
Why the weather stopped everything
The problem is not only the soaked track. Reduced visibility limited the medical helicopter's ability to fly. MotoGP race director Graham Webber explained that the helicopter needs a window of around 60 minutes at both Phillip Island and Melbourne, where the weather is also bad, before the race can start.
The reason is simple: the hospital is more than 45 minutes away by road, while the regulations require a hospital to be reachable within that time. At this circuit, that means relying on the air ambulance. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast more than 35mm of rain, with winds rising to 35 km/h.
Sunday's schedule torn up
- Original schedule: warm-up at 9:40am, Moto3 at 11:00am, Moto2 at 12:15pm, MotoGP at 2:00pm.
- The MotoGP warm-up was cancelled and track action pushed back to no earlier than 3:00pm.
- New plan: pit lane opens at 4:00pm, a 10-minute warm-up, and a targeted start at 4:30pm local time.
- The third race of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) had already been cancelled in the morning.
Casualties of the weather
Moto3 rider Joel Kelso, who was set to start from third in front of his home crowd, loses his race. In Moto2, Australian Senna Agius was due to start from seventh after his qualifying crash. Maximo Quiles, already the 2026 Moto3 world champion, is unaffected as far as the title goes. The sources do not say whether points will be awarded for the cancelled classes, nor what this means for the Moto2 title, which is still open.
What is at stake in MotoGP
Marc Márquez leads the championship by 10 points over Jorge Martin. Martin is out after fracturing his right forearm in Saturday's sprint. Seven riders remain mathematically in the title fight. The start remains subject to how conditions evolve.
Key points
- Moto2 and Moto3 cancelled at Phillip Island, MotoGP pushed back to 4:30pm local.
- Cause: reduced visibility, medical helicopter grounded.
- Márquez leads Martin by 10 points; Quiles is already Moto3 champion.
Frequently asked questions
Why were the Moto2 and Moto3 races cancelled at Phillip Island?
Poor visibility keeps the medical helicopter from flying. Without it the race cannot start safely, as the hospital is more than 45 minutes away by road.
What time does MotoGP start at Phillip Island?
Organisers are targeting a 4:30pm local start, with the pit lane opening at 4:00pm followed by a 10-minute warm-up. The start was originally scheduled for 2:00pm.
Does the cancellation affect the Moto3 title?
No: Maximo Quiles is already the 2026 Moto3 world champion. The sources do not say what happens to the Moto2 title.
Sources
- Crash.net — new MotoGP start time after Moto2 and Moto3 cancelled
- Speedcafe — new MotoGP start time at Phillip Island
- Racesport.nl — Moto2 and Moto3 races at Phillip Island cancelled
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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