The 2026 MotoGP has been abruptly cancelled due to poor weather conditions, leaving thousands of fans unable to say goodbye to the last race at the iconic Phillip Island circuit.
Race organisers navigated a number of weather-related challenges on Sunday originally postponing track action until after 1pm after poor visibility around Phillip Island and Melbourne impacted the medical helicopter’s ability to fly.
If a crash occurs during the crash, the medical helicopter needs to be able to land and also navigate to the nearest trauma centre in Melbourne.
Both the MotoGP warm-up session and the Australian Superbikes Race 3 were cancelled in the morning and the Motor3 race was cancelled in the early afternoon. However, organisers had hoped the main race could still go ahead, pushing the start time until 3pm and then 4pm.
The efforts were unfortunately in vain.
An alert was sent out shortly after 3.35pm informing media and racegoers the event was cancelled.
“Due to limited visibility affecting the operation of the medical helicopter at the Red Bull Grand Prix of Australia, the MotoGP Grand Prix race has been cancelled,” organisers said in a statement.
“As a farewell to the Island, the MotoGP riders will do a lap behind the safety car and stop on the main straight to greet the fans.”
The news is devastating for motorsport fans, tourists and local business owners who were hoping for one final hurrah to farewell the last grand prix at Phillip Island, dubbed “the Final Roar” before it moves to Adelaide in 2027.
After the announcement was made, “The Final Roar” ended in a different sort of race; who could get to the carpark first. Disgruntled fans made a beeline for the exit, trudging through the mud – a bittersweet end after nearly three decades of racing.
In mid-February news broke that Victoria had lost its MotoGP race to South Australia, ending a three-decades long connection to Phillip Island and dealing a blow to the Victorian government after it refused to move the event to Melbourne.
Earlier this month, Victorian Major Events Minister Anthony Carbines announced Supercars would return to Phillip Island on a five-year-deal, plugging the economic hole left by MotoGP.
It will be the first time since 2019 that the island has hosted the Supercars championship.
Father-son duo Joel and Ethan Sing braved the weather to snag a seat trackside on Sunday, armed with grey ponchos and gigantic umbrellas. Both attended Sunday’s race and said there were disappointed to see the iconic race leave Phillip Island.
Both were doubtful they would travel to Adelaide to see the event.
“Phillip Island is such an amazing track so I’m sad to see it go,” Ethan said. “Supercars are cool, but not as [cool] as the MotoGP.”
Over the past five years, Phillip Island has had troubles with delays and event cancellations due to poor weather.
In 2022, the circuit flooded ahead of MotoGP practices, although no events were delayed or cancelled. The following year, the sprint race was cancelled in due to strong winds and rain and the grand prix was moved Saturday instead of Sunday. Opening practice got the boot in 2024 with heavy rain, but the rest of the weekend proceeded smoothly allowing for all festivities to continue.
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