Phillip Island MotoGP finale cancelled as poor visibility halts racing

The Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island was cancelled on Sunday after poor visibility prevented the medical helicopter from operating, ending the circuit's final Grand Prix weekend without its main race. MotoGP confirmed that the Moto2 and Moto3 races were also cancelled, leaving all three classes without their scheduled Sunday races.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rJyYE3roFg

The decision followed repeated attempts to rearrange the day's programme. Motorsport.com reported that the premier-class race, originally scheduled for 2pm local time, had been moved to 4:30pm before being abandoned. The morning warm-up had already been cancelled, while the smaller classes were called off as organisers tried to give the MotoGP race a chance to proceed.

In its official announcement, MotoGP said riders would instead make a farewell parade lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet spectators. The organisers scheduled the pit lane to open for that lap at 3:45pm local time. The announcement offered fans a final appearance by the riders, but not the competitive farewell that had been planned.

Saturday's sprint therefore supplied the weekend's decisive championship action. According to MotoGP's race report, Ducati's Marc Marquez won ahead of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, taking the title lead after Jorge Martin crashed at Turn 8 on lap eight. Martin had arrived at the sprint leading the standings and had been battling Marquez at the front before the accident ended his race and his weekend.

Motorsport.com reported that Marquez leaves Australia 10 points ahead of Martin, with Marco Bezzecchi 50 points behind the leader. Martin had been declared unfit after breaking his arm on Saturday. The same report said he would attempt to compete at the following week's Malaysian Grand Prix, so his participation there remains uncertain rather than confirmed.

The cancellation also closed Phillip Island's time as host of the Australian round. Reuters reported that the event is moving to the streets of Adelaide next year and that Sunday's crowd was sold out. Instead of a final Grand Prix result at the island circuit, the closing day was defined by weather delays and the eventual cancellation.