MotoGP: No Race at Phillip Island—Here’s What Happened

Huge disappointment for Australian fans who traveled to Phillip Island for the MotoGP: the race will not take place. It would have been the last MotoGP race there, since starting next year the series will move to Adelaide, but fans didn’t get to enjoy this final farewell.

Due to poor visibility, which prevented the medical helicopter from flying, the organizers decided to cancel the race. Neither Moto2 nor Moto3 will race either. The riders did, however, take to the track at 5:45 a.m. Italian time for a farewell lap behind the safety car, then stopped on the home straight to wave to the fans. They thus bid farewell to Phillip Island, which will be leaving the world championship calendar.

Among the most disappointed riders is, of course, Jack Miller, who said goodbye by throwing his gloves and boots to the fans in attendance: “You fans have been fantastic all these years, so I can only thank you on behalf of myself and all the other riders for being here this weekend,” he later told the official MotoGP channels. “It was great to be here with all the other legends, too.”

“I’ve been here since I was a kid, and it’s been wonderful to be here and have this experience. I’m sorry I wasn’t on the track in front of you, and it really bothers me that I didn’t actually get to ride today,” the Australian rider concluded.

Fabio Di Giannantonio was also very moved: “I was thrilled about yesterday’s podium finish, and I really love this track—I did a lap with a tear in my eye. Seeing all these people is always amazing; it’s a shame to say goodbye like this, but safety comes first. Still, it’s spectacular to see all these people and their passion: maybe you can’t tell from home, but the weather is terrible and yet the place is still absolutely packed. It’s a shame, but at the same time, it’s wonderful to have raced here.”