Australian MotoGP: Race’s sodden farewell to Phillip Island

Phillip Island, Australia - Marco Bezzecchi, recovering from a crash, led the timesheets in Australian MotoGP practice, clocking a remarkable lap of 1 minute 26.775 seconds during a session interrupted by a wallaby hopping onto the track. The Italian rider, riding an Aprilia, completed the lap in windy but warm conditions. Ducati's Marc Marquez finished third, while Ai Ogura was fourth on his Aprilia.

Championship leader Jorge Martin, who is currently two points ahead of Marquez with five rounds of the season remaining, secured fifth place. Bezzecchi edged out last year's Australian grand prix winner Fernandez by 0.072 seconds, with Marquez lagging behind by 0.054 seconds. The top 10 riders are exempt from the first qualifying session on Saturday and are guaranteed a top 12 grid placement in both the afternoon sprint race and Sunday's MotoGP.

Notably, Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo did not make it into the top 10. Bezzecchi suffered a fall at Turn 4 after clipping Alex Marquez, which caused him to slide off with his bike landing on his right leg. A second red flag was raised soon after the session resumed when a wallaby was spotted on the track. As the session progressed, Martin led at the time, but Bezzecchi and Fernandez overtook him as the clock ticked down.

The morning practice session was marred by several crashes, including those of Marc Marquez, Fernandez, Iker Lecuona, Jack Miller, and Brad Binder. Pramac Yamaha riders Miller and Augusto Fernandez, as well as Alex Marquez, all came off in the afternoon run. It is worth noting that Phillip Island has been a part of the MotoGP calendar since 1997, but the Australian race is set to move to a street circuit in Adelaide next year.