MotoGP's final Phillip Island race cancelled, replaced with parade lap
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix MotoGP race at Phillip Island has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
"Poor visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter" meant the day's planned track action in any of the three classes of grand prix racing never got underway - as there was never a sufficient break in the weather to even attempt racing.
MotoGP first cancelled the Moto3 race, then the Moto2 race, then finally called off the premier-class event at 3.35pm local time - having accepted that the hope to get the race started at 4.30pm was in vain.
In lieu of the race, MotoGP riders "will do a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans".
This will function as a "farewell lap" to the Phillip Island venue, which will be replaced as the host of the Australian GP next year by the street track in Adelaide.
Race organisers have confirmed that they are "working with our ticketing partners to facilitate the process for full refunds for Sunday ticketholders and partial refunds for multi-day ticketholders".
"To every fan who came to Phillip Island today, despite the conditions, thank you. Your support is a powerful reminder of the love for MotoGP and the special place Phillip Island holds in Australian motorsport," they said in a statement.
"While this is not the way anyone wanted MotoGP's time at Phillip Island to conclude, it does not diminish the incredible legacy of this event. We thank the fans, riders, teams, officials, volunteers, partners and the Phillip Island community who have made it so special over so many years."
The premier class, MotoGP, at least exits Phillip Island having contested a sprint race in the dry. Moto3 and Moto2 fields will leave without having raced, after logging a respective 1446 laps and 1500 laps across practice and qualifying on the two previous days.
Sunday had long been anticipated to offer the worst of the weather this weekend - but MotoGP did not pursue a repeat of its 2023 strategy, when it successfully ran the full-distance grand prix on Saturday and then scheduled the sprint on Sunday (and subsequently cancelled it).
Championship leader Marc Marquez leaves Phillip Island with a 10-point cushion over Jorge Martin with a scheduled four rounds left (as question marks remain over the Qatar Grand Prix).
The Sunday cancellation is a massive reprieve for the injured Martin, who it is thought will attempt to compete next weekend at Sepang.
