The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will return to Australian shores on February 20–22, 2026. Marking its 35th year on the WorldSBK calendar, the Phillip Island round remains one of the most anticipated events of the season for fans and riders alike. Photos: Brett Butler
With just over a month to go, organisers have officially released the full three-day event schedule, confirming a packed program of international and domestic racing across the weekend – we will see you there!
World Championship On-Track Action
On the international front, WorldSBK will begin proceedings on Friday, February 20, with two Free Practice sessions, while the World Supersport (WorldSSP) field will complete Free Practice followed by the all-important Tissot Superpole session.
Saturday’s action ramps up with WorldSBK’s final Free Practice, before Superpole and Race 1 close out the day. WorldSSP will contest a Warm Up session ahead of Race 1 later in the afternoon.
The event concludes on Sunday, February 22, with WorldSBK Warm Up, followed by the Tissot Superpole Race and the final feature Race 2, scheduled for a 4:00pm finish. WorldSSP will also complete their Warm Up and Race 2 during the closing day.
Strong Australian and International Line-Up
All permanent WorldSBK and WorldSSP riders have been confirmed for the season opener. Australia’s presence remains strong, with Remy Gardner returning for his fourth WorldSBK season aboard the GYTR GRT Yamaha, while Oli Bayliss continues in World Supersport with PTR Triumph Factory Racing.
Check out the awesome Pirelli Tyre ticket giveaway here…
Several high-profile changes headline the 2026 grid, including Miguel Oliveira, who will make his WorldSBK debut with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, following a long MotoGP career. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) enters the season as one of the favourites after finishing runner-up in 2025, just 13 points behind outgoing champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, who departs for MotoGP in 2026.
Australian Superbike Championship Support
Supporting the World Championship is Round 1 of the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), featuring Australian Superbike, Supersport, and Supersport 300 categories.
Domestic classes begin Friday morning with Free Practice, followed by Qualifying for Supersport and Supersport 300. Supersport 300 Race 1 will close out Friday’s track action.
Saturday includes Australian Superbike Qualifying, Supersport 300 Race 2, Supersport Race 1, and Australian Superbike Race 1, before Supersport completes Race 2 later in the day.
Sunday delivers the final domestic races of the round, with Supersport 300 Race 3, Australian Superbike Race 2, Supersport Race 3, and Australian Superbike Race 3 rounding out the weekend.
Tickets, Access and Fan Experience
General Admission tickets offer extensive viewing access across the circuit, including the popular outfield areas near Gardner Straight. Fans can also ride their motorcycles directly to select viewing points.
Premium options include BarSBK, offering prime viewing locations at Doohan Corner, Siberia and Lukey Heights, as well as camping at the circuit, with both motorcycle-only and general camping areas available. Limited powered sites are offered.
For the ultimate experience, VIP Hospitality and ClubSBK packages provide pit roof access, premium facilities and views of Superbikes reaching speeds of up to 320km/h along Gardner Straight.
All ticket holders receive free paddock access, including Parc Fermé, podium celebrations, rider interviews, merchandise, food and drink, and The Paddock Show, hosted by Michael Hill across all three days.
With Australians racing abroad in a range of disciplines, both on-track and off-road, Ed’s column focuses on how they’re battling it out with the best in their chosen classes. Ed updates us on Miller, Kelso, Rouldsone, Gardner, McDonald and Lawrence. Words: Ed Stratmann
On-Track Jack Miller – MotoGP
Retained by Yamaha for 2026, Jack Miller returned to the V4-powered M1 during the Valencia MotoGP Test following the season finale, as he and his fellow Yamaha riders face the seriously tough challenge of helping shape Yamaha’s V4 project.
First on track after a delayed start, Miller completed an important 51 laps and finished 20th. “It was a busy day. I did a lot of laps. I was shaking down the new bike and trying to understand it. Trying to make some headway in the development. We have got some work ahead of us, but I am not afraid of a little work,”he insisted.
One of the key learnings was the Australian ace identifying the electronics as an area needing attention. “Electronics still need a lot of work, as we still have to deal with the same problems as last year when I got on the M1 at this juncture, so the acceleration and progression,”he told GPOne.
“In terms of traction control, we are not in bad shape. It’s just the way it works. We have to find a way to get a better delivery and allow the bike to be fluid and not skate as soon as you go on the gas.”
He then resumed action on Wednesday for a private test with Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins and Toprak Razgatlioglu, which was also crucial to log some more data and extract some further insight for future reference.
“Today was about gaining experience on the bike. We have some clear issues we need to work on. Going into tomorrow, we have some items to try to fix the issues and give us as much speed back as possible before the break. The engineers will go away and try to come up with some solutions over winter and bring us some developments come Malaysia,”commented Miller.
While there’s still plenty of work to be done, the immensely experienced Miller’s feedback will continue to be vital in the bike’s development in their quest to enjoy a strong 2026 campaign.
Joel Kelso – Moto3
While Joel Kelso’s move to the MLav Racing Team was announced back in September, it’ll be fascinating to see how he fares following another largely positive season in Moto3, which saw him grab his best finish yet of sixth in the final championship standings.
Pic: Joel Kelso Racing.
“I can’t wait to get started and to deliver strong and consistent results. It’s a new challenge on the Honda, which I believe will be a great experience. I’m pleased to have my future secured for the next two years, and I’m looking forward to working hard with the team to build this project up,”stated Kelso.
“Having Joel on board is a major step forward for us. He brings proven speed, experience and the determination of a front runner eager to keep progressing at the highest level. His arrival underlines our long-term commitment to strengthening this project,”explained the team.
Pic: Joel Kelso Racing
Clinching 16 top 10 finishes and six top fives last term, it’s been terrific to see him already make a fast start to life in new colours, for he impressively set the fastest time on day two of testing in Jerez on his very first outing with the Honda. Now entering his fourth season in the lightweight class, riding for his fourth different team, Kelso boasts the potential to be a legit title contender in 2026, which will be another massive year for the gifted maestro.
Jacob Roulstone
After Red Bull Tech Moto chose not to renew his contract for 2026, Jacob Roulstone was on the hunt for a new ride. Fortunately, he’s found one, with the talented Aussie confirming he’ll race for Team Ciatti Boscoscuro in the 2026 FIM Moto2 European Championship within the FIM Junior GP World Championship framework.
Pic: Jacob Roulstone #12.
This transition represents an intriguing step, with him going from the 250cc lightweight bikes to the larger 765cc bikes. “The opportunity to progress to a Moto2 machine is one I am definitely ready for, and doing it in partnership with an experienced and professional team like Team Ciatti is fantastic,”said Roulstone.
“To finally be in a position to confirm my plans for next season brings a real sense of a new door opening, and that fuels my motivation. My focus during the off-season is to ensure I am 100 per cent ready to tackle the demands of this new championship.”
Pic: Motocity Wollongong
With a pre-season neck injury derailing Roulstone’s 2025 campaign and a late-season broken hand ending his hopes of keeping his Red Bull KTM Tech3 seat, this is an outstanding opportunity for the youngster. All his energy will now be channelled to preparation for this new chapter in the seven-round FIM Moto2 European Championship, which visits Catalunya, Estoril, Jerez, Magny-Cours, Aragon, Misano and Valencia.
Jacob has also signed to race ASBK Superbike on the Motocity Wollongong Honda CBR1000RR-R Superbike for 2026.
Jacob Roulstone“Excited for this new challenge. Huge thanks to Motocity and Honda Australia for giving me this opportunity. Can’t wait to get on the bike very soon.”
Marcus Hamod “Really happy to announce the move to superbikes full time next year with Motocity and the support from Honda Australia. Can’t wait to get started, can’t thank everyone involved enough for the opportunity.”
Remy Gardner – World Superbike
While injury prevented Remy Gardner from participating in the Jerez test due to a shoulder ailment sustained in a training incident, the Australian pilot is now fully locked in on recovering as soon as possible to start getting ready for 2026.
Finishing the crusade 11th in the standings, having banked a memorable podium in Assen and a host of top 10s, the former Moto2 World Champion, who signed a two-year contract extension with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, will be looking for more in 2026. Excited at signing his new deal a few months back, the classy Gardner knows there’s huge scope for improvement.
“I am happy to be continuing with Yamaha in WorldSBK. Our journey together so far has been good, but I still feel that we are only scratching the surface of what we can achieve. We’ve shown that when everything comes together, we can be quick and fight for the podium. My target is to do this more consistently over the remainder of the 2025 season and look towards taking a further step in 2026,”he acknowledged.
Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Sporting Manager, Nicolo Canepa, then added: “Remy has become a valuable member of our line-up over the last few years, not just through his speed and potential, but also his ability to give detailed feedback, which proves useful to our engineers as we look to continue developing the R1 in WorldSBK. We have already seen he can fight for the podium, and the target is to be more consistent in this goal towards the end of this season and then build on this for next year.”
Archie McDonald – 2026 Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
After two consecutive seasons balancing racing commitments across the ASBK Australian Superbike Championship and European competition, Joe Rascal Racing has announced Archie McDonald as its first rider signing for the 2026 Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup.
Pic: Archie McDonald Racing
McDonald, 19, arrives with an impressive resume, having already claimed five Australian Flat Track Championship titles to accompany the aforementioned. Widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest rising talents, he embarks on this exciting adventure right as the team builds toward its 2026 campaign.
Pic: Dale Schmidtchen
The squad expects McDonald’s combination of pace and racecraft to translate well to the Bagger World Cup, with confidence high that he can be a regular front-runner. The championship gets underway at the Americas Grand Prix, with the opening round scheduled for March 27-29.
Off-Track Jett Lawrence – AMA Supercross
Jett Lawrence and HRC have confirmed that the Australian suffered a fractured right ankle/foot in a practice crash last Friday at the Dog Pound in Florida. Lawrence immediately underwent surgery to repair fractures to the talus and navicular bones and is expected to be sidelined for at least three months. The devastating injury ends his AMA Supercross title ambitions before the season begins, but he’s hoping to be back in time to defend his AMA Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross crowns.
The 22-year-old phenom, who owns 10 AMA championships, will now switch his focus to his recovery and getting back out there sooner rather than later.
“Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now,”Lawrence reflected.“The team and I put in so much work during the off-season to improve. I keep reminding myself that we have overcome challenges before, and this is no different. I’ll put the same focus into my recovery that I put into being the best athlete I can be each day. My goal is to get this ankle fully healed up and return as competitive as ever and make the 2026 season as successful as we can.”
Sydney Motorsport Park Ride Days Set for Biggest Year Yet in 2026 | Sydney Motorsport Park is gearing up for its biggest motorcycle track-day program yet, following a hugely successful 2025 season that welcomed thousands of riders from Australia and around the world.
Across 2025, a total of 30 Ride Days and six Ride Nights were run at Sydney Motorsport Park, attracting 4,518 riders. Participants came from all walks of life, nationalities and backgrounds, united by a shared passion for riding one of Australia’s premier motorsport venues.
Looking ahead to 2026, the calendar expands even further. A total of 31 regular Ride Days and 11 Ride Nights are planned, alongside a limited number of weekend and public holiday events, plus several special dates yet to be announced.
One of the standout features continuing into next year is the opportunity for riders to hire premium superbikes on every Ride Day, including the Ducati Panigale V4S and BMW S 1000 RR. For those wanting the ultimate on-track experience, the Full Factory Experience will also return, offering riders access to up-spec Ducati Panigale V4S and BMW S 1000 RR M Sport machines, complete with slick tyres, tyre warmers and personalised setup.
New for 2026 are brand-specific days, including BMW Motorrad Days and Ducati Experience events, where only motorcycles from that marque take to the circuit. Exclusive Full Factory Experience Days will also be introduced, limited to just 10 riders on track, with seven dedicated sessions per day.
Further details on these new experiences will be revealed in the new year, as Sydney Motorsport Park continues to elevate its motorcycle ride-day offering for 2026.
The first Australian to win a Grand Prix World Championship on two wheels or four is celebrated in this much-awaited biography written by renowned motorcycle racing historian Don Cox. Keith Campbell, Australia’s first Grand Prix World Champion by Don Cox
Keith Campbell, Australia’s First Grand Prix World Champion is a terrifically researched 95,000-word account of Campbell’s remarkable career featuring many previously unpublished photographs.
Campbell secured the 1957 World 350 Championship in his debut season with Moto Guzzi, finishing on the podium at the Isle of Man and taking consecutive victories in The Netherlands, Belgium and Northern Ireland. He was the first Australian to win multiple Grands Prix in a calendar year.
Campbell’s world title was the culmination of an eight-year journey from Melbourne teenager welding vacuum-cleaner bodies to finance his racing and solo trips to the famed Isle of Man that launched his career as a Continental Circus rookie at 22 and then successful private entrant.
A fair-minded man, Campbell stood up for proper payment for private riders at the 1955 Dutch TT. Along with other striking riders, he was suspended from racing for six months. Undeterred, he was back racing and winning in 1956, and then piloted Guzzi 350 singles, 500 singles and the fabulous Guzzi 500 V-eight as a factory rider.
Keith Campbell on the 500cc. V8 Moto-Guzzi.
Guzzi’s withdrawal from racing in September 1957 left Campbell without a works ride. He returned to the privateer ranks for 1958 with plans to head home to Melbourne and start a business in 1959. Campbell tragically died in a race accident at Cadours, France, in July 1958.
Purchase your signed copy for $50 plus shipping by emailing your details to krcampbellbook@gmail.com
“This is a truly remarkable biography of the racer, businessman and entrepreneur who became Australia’s first motorsport grand prix world champion,”Peter Donaldson said.
“Talent, bravery, speed, smarts and persistence. Australia’s first road-racing World Champion Keith Campbell used all of that to reach the pinnacle of success,”Jamie McIlwraith said. “The man behind the legendary Circus Life history of 1950s’ Aussie international motorcycle racers tells the inspiring yet tragic story of Campbell’s extraordinary career”.
Keith Campbell on a Manx Norton in 1958.
Keith Campbell, Australia’s first Grand Prix World Champion draws on interviews with Keith Campbell’s family, friends, rivals, team mates, helpers and travelling mates, reporters and spectators from the day.
The list of those whom helped contribute to the book includes Jack Ahearn, Keith Bryen, Rod Coleman, Geoff Duke, Keith’s brother George Campbell, key helpers Ron Day and Bob Edmonds, Eric Hinton, Bob Mitchell, Maurie Quincey, John Surtees and Vic Willoughby. Keith Campbell.
Aussies Racing Abroad | October 2025. With many Australians showcasing their skills abroad in a range of disciplines both on-track and off-road, Ed Stratmann’s column focuses on how they’re faring battling it out with the best in their chosen classes…
On-Track Jack Miller – MotoGP
Jack Miller endured a frustrating start to November in Portugal, salvaging just 14th in the Sprint after what had promised to be a competitive weekend. The Prima Pramac Yamaha ace had shown genuine pace in qualifying, progressing through Q1 with the second-fastest time to lock down eighth on the grid. But any hopes of a points finish evaporated almost immediately, as Miller haemorrhaged five positions on the opening lap and never recovered, ultimately bringing it home 14th.
Sunday’s Grand Prix offered little respite. Despite starting with renewed optimism, Miller found himself wrestling with severe grip issues throughout the race, eventually crossing the line a distant P12.
“Sunday went a little better than yesterday. I had a decent start and tried to challenge the guys ahead of me, but there were some areas where I was really struggling – especially on the exit of turns 14 and 15, and also through turn six. When the tyre started to drop, it just got harder and harder; the bike was pumping like hell, and I was just trying to do the best I could. So, not happy with the day,”Miller lamented.
Onto the finale, and after topping FP1 and running sixth in practice before qualifying P8, Miller’s weekend was looking promising. A rapid launch in the Sprint then put him in a tight battle with Fermín Aldeguer for eighth, but contact between the two on lap three derailed his charge. Miller was handed a three-position penalty which went unserved, leading to a long-lap penalty that dropped him to 12th.
In the main dance, Miller claimed a credible ninth. After spending much of the race in sixth and seventh with an attacking yet controlled ride, a late tyre drop forced him onto the defensive, which consequently cost him two positions to Luca Marini and Brad Binder.
“Over the season we‘ve been up and down – some good highlights and some decent lowlights too – but in the last couple of races, since Australia, we‘ve managed to understand the front end a bit more. Maybe we lost a little in terms of outright performance, but we gained good feedback in stability and in managing the tyre. Now I understand this bike more and more. Next year’s bike will be different, but the DNA is the same,”reflected the popular veteran.
Senna Agius – Moto2
Senna Agius began the weekend in fine form at Portimao by posting third in FP1 before backing it up with fifth in Friday afternoon’s practice session. While qualifying 13th represented a slight dip in fortunes, he remained optimistic about his race prospects.
Come Sunday, Agius demonstrated the pace that had served him well in practice, but a sluggish getaway off the line proved damaging. Although he recovered to bag ninth at the chequered flag, a result he was satisfied with given the circumstances, the young maestro knew a stronger launch could have yielded a considerably better finish.
“It wasn’t a bad race, even though I didn’t get off to the best start and the first lap didn’t go perfectly. That’s why I fell back a few positions. I also had a little trouble finding my speed at the start of the race, which is why I ended up losing a few positions. I think if I had been able to attack at the beginning, I would have made some really good progress, because I had good pace at the end of the race. In the last three laps, I overtook some good riders and made it into the top ten. So, let’s take the positives, because we have a strong race pace,”Agius explained.
Agius brought his campaign to a solid close with seventh in the season finale at Valencia. Having qualified an impressive third on the grid, the Australian ran inside the leading group for much of the distance. However, fading grip in the closing stages saw him slip back to eighth at the flag.
A post-race time penalty for Filip Salac ultimately promoted Agius to seventh, which was a solid way to draw the curtain on his campaign.
“Once again, a big thank you to Jürgen, Stefan and Wolfgang for giving me the opportunity to be here, because without them I wouldn’t have gotten this far. I really felt their support this year, and they believed in me during difficult moments. On the other hand, the good moments motivate us for the future. Now we’re going home and set for next year. I have a lot to do in the winter. Fortunately, that keeps me busy so I can come back in good shape in 2026. Finally, I would also like to thank everyone involved in this project for their work and help this year,”commented the gifted talent.
Joel Kelso – Moto3
Joel Kelso produced a masterclass in qualifying at Portimao, securing pole position with a composed and confident display that saw him top the timesheets with aplomb.
Starting from the prime grid slot on race day, he fought valiantly but found himself on the back foot as the laps ticked by. Mounting tyre wear in the latter stages hampered his charge, thus leaving him to settle for seventh.
“Took a gamble in yesterday’s race and tried my hardest to break away. Unfortunately the soft front just faded towards the end. Overall it was a super positive weekend, and we will leave it all on the line in Valencia next week,”posted Kelso.
Joel Kelso saw his crusade come to a premature and annoying end at Valencia, with him crashing out after qualifying 12th. It was far from the conclusion he’d hoped for. However, despite his disappointment, Kelso looked back with satisfaction on what had been his strongest season at this level to date, stating: “Not the way I wanted to end our final race of the year. A crash brought my progress to a halt quite early, but this year I’ve had my best season yet and was lucky to share it with the Level Up MTA team. We created some great memories together, and I wish them all the best for the future. Now we turn our eyes to 2026.”
Jacob Roulstone – Moto3
Jacob Roulstone was forced to sit out the penultimate round in Portugal after undergoing surgery on a fractured left hand sustained in Malaysia. The Australian’s focus quickly shifted to returning for the last stop on the calendar. And that he did, despite carrying that injury into his final outing with Tech3, as Roulstone put in a gutsy performance at Valencia. Starting 23rd on the grid, he wasted no time carving through the field, reaching 16th by lap three and climbing as high as 13th at the race’s midpoint.
The compromised hand inevitably took its toll as the laps wore on, and Roulstone gradually dropped back down the order. Nevertheless, he held on to cross the line 16th.
“Sunday’s race had to be the hardest of the season. Finishing P16, it was the only race this season where when finishing a race I wasn’t able to score points. I took some painkillers and held on for as long as I could. I managed to work my way up to P13 from P23 and battled till the end. But once they wore off, I struggled to keep going with only three fingers working the left bar and holding on.
Considering I still had pins in my hand on Wednesday, I didn’t think I’d be able to say that. It wasn’t the way I wanted to wrap up the season, but I’m proud I was able to put the helmet on and do the last race of the season. The team and I worked very hard these past days to get a comfortable and competitive feeling on the bike. Which I’m proud we were able to do. And I really want to thank the boys for those efforts,”insisted Roulstone.
Off-Track Jett Lawrence – Paris Supercross
Jett Lawrence certainly endured an eventful time of it at the 2025 Paris Supercross. Night one was nothing short of a catastrophe, for he was taken out by Tom Vialle and then crashed in both Superpole and the third final to cap off a disastrous opening day. To his credit, the phenom responded emphatically on Sunday, as the #18 dominated proceedings with victories in two of the three races and a third in the other, ensuring he left the French capital on a decidedly high note.
Hunter Lawrence – Paris Supercross
Hunter Lawrence also had a wild ride at Paris Supercross, mixing the ups with the downs in dramatic fashion. Beginning with first place in Saturday’s Superpole before going 4-2 in the opening two motos, things were looking promising for the #96. But a nasty spill in the whoops derailed his evening and threatened to rule him out for the rest of the event. Thankfully, the banged-up star was able to compete on Sunday, where he bravely fought through the pain to go 4-5-4, which was a gutsy showing given the circumstances.
“I’m happy I could ride today as well. I wasn’t sure how I’d be. Thankful to keep Eric [Peronnard] happy. Rule number one at these races, keep the promoters happy. Yeah, we were just, I mean, you’ve seen it, compared to yesterday,”he told RacerX.
“I could do enough, you know, get out there and still get some good practice laps in, and no, it was good. I take the riding from yesterday, Superpole, even the motos and how I was riding up until the crash. The crash was just one of those things. The whoops were abnormally large this year, and, just going into them, had a bit of a bad run out of the corner – the rut kind of caved in – and then trying to drive through the first three, and I think on like the fourth one, my front wheel just missed the tip of it. And as I’ve gone to extend, like, commit to putting it on the next one, as you do, the rear wheel spun as I’ve pretty much pushed all my chips in on that one to get traction. So, yeah, it was pretty scary.”
Luke Clout – Paris Supercross
Luke Clout delivered a brilliant performance at the 2025 Paris Supercross to clinch second in SX2 after a weekend in which he came so close to reigning supreme.
The Australian was nothing short of excellent across the two nights, reeling off an impressive string of 2-1-1-1 finishes in the opening four motos to establish himself as the man to beat. His speed and consistency had him firmly in control of the overall classification heading into the final day.
Read our October Aussies Racing Abroad column here…
Heartbreak struck in the penultimate moto, though, when Clout was caught up in a first-turn incident beyond his control, thus seeing him limp home 13th to watch his title hopes slip through his fingers. The experienced Aussie bounced back strikingly to win the final race, but the damage had been done. Even though he missed out on the overall triumph by a narrow margin, Clout could hold his head high after a tremendous display.
Waters’ path of least resistance to winning an unprecedented fifth SW-Motech Superbike title was always going to come in the battle for grid positions, and the script went perfectly to plan for the McMartin Racing Ducati star.
Waters qualified in fifth, but with arch-rival Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) unable to secure pole position Waters now takes a 50p lead into Sunday’s two 11-lap races. Even if Jones wins both battles and Waters doesn’t score any points – extremely unlikely for such a well-drilled champion – Waters would still win the championship on a countback.
With the numbers falling his way, it was a super Saturday for Waters, who won his first Superbike title in 2009 followed by further successes in 2012, 2017 and 2024. After three decades of Aussie Superbike brilliance, Waters still can’t fully comprehend what he has achieved.
“When I started road racing I used to stand outside Shawn Giles’ garage and think ‘Will I ever be like that’?,said Waters, referencing the former three-time Superbike champion (2000-2002).
“Now to win five titles against such a high level of competition means so much. This year has been really special. I’ve got such a great team and crew around me, and everyone at home is such a big support: my wife, my family, my training partners. It just means so much.”
Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati) will start from pole in the SW-Motech Superbike races, and will be joined on the front row by Jones and Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Honda).
WorldSBK Round 12 | Razgatligolu secures WorldSBK title | The final day of the WorldSBK season saw the World Championship decided in Toprak Razgatlioglu’s favour. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team made it back-to-back titles. here is our season finale report: Ed Stratmann/WorldSBK
Friday practice WorldSBK
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) topped the timesheets on Friday at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s final round of the year kicked off in Spain. Bulega didn’t have Friday all his own way after hitting technical trouble in Free Practice 2, as he claimed top spot ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at the Pirelli Spanish Round.
With the Riders’ Championship wrapped up, the FIM Supersport World Championship’s riders returned to Spain for the final round of their season at the beloved Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The Pirelli Spanish Round looked like it would host a thrilling final chapter as Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing #40) took pole in the Tissot Superpole session. The Italian was joined on the front row by Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) and Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura #51), the latter making his return to the front row for the first time in five rounds.
Saturday WorldSBK
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) set a lap time that left jaws dropped in Tissot Superpole for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he claimed pole at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. He was the only rider in the 1’36s bracket, as he obliterated his own lap record from last year on the way to beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) to P1 on the timesheets.
WorldSBK Race 1
The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title race will go down to the wire after Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) dominated Race 1 at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) by nearly four seconds. Bulega converted his pole into victory, remaining unbeaten on Saturday, while Razgatlioglu finished second but couldn’t clinch the championship early.
Razgatlioglu got a strong start and took the lead at Turn 1, but Bulega quickly responded and seized control by the opening sector. Razgatlioglu dropped down the order but fought back to P2 after passing Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) at Turn 6. However, Bulega had already opened a two-second gap, lapping consistently in the 1’38s while Razgatlioglu stayed in the 1’39s. Bulega cruised to his 18th WorldSBK career win, while Razgatlioglu’s second place marked his 25th consecutive podium, tying Colin Edwards’ all-time record. Razgatlioglu now needs just three points in Sunday’s races to secure the title.
The battle for third was intense, with Iannone leading early but under pressure from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) and Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC #97). Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) was working his way up the field. Lowes often challenged Iannone through Turns 12 and 13, but Iannone held firm. By Lap 11, Bautista made a bold move at Turn 13, passing Vierge and Lowes to reach P4. Bautista’s attack on Iannone at Turn 13 on Lap 13 saw him briefly take third, though a mistake at Turn 2 dropped him back behind Iannone and Vierge.
Bautista reclaimed third at Turn 6 on Lap 15, strengthening his championship standing with a record sixth consecutive P3 finish. Meanwhile, Vierge pressured Iannone for fourth, eventually passing him at Turn 13 on Lap 18, though Iannone fought back on Lap 19 after Vierge ran wide. Iannone held on to fourth by the finish.
“On Saturday we made a step with the bike. In the morning, we had an incredible lap in the Superpole, and in Race 1 we did very well. I’m happy with my Saturday, and we’ll see about Sunday,” Bulega said.
WorldSBK Race 1 Results
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +3.766s
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.569s
Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +11.221s
Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +12.272s
WorldSSP Race 1
The FIM Supersport World Championship’s penultimate race at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto saw Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) continue his dominant season with his 19th podium, claiming victory. He was joined by rookie Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52), who scored his second career podium in P2, and Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team), who tied Nicolo Bulega for ninth on the all-time WorldSSP podium list with 30 finishes.
At the start, Oncu took the holeshot ahead of Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing). On Lap 2, Oncu forced Casadei wide at Turn 6, pushing him back to P8; this move was deemed irresponsible riding by the FIM Stewards, resulting in a penalty that dropped Oncu two positions after he eased off on the back straight. Masia and Manzi then passed him, with Manzi capitalising on Oncu’s penalty to move into the lead.
Manzi later set his sights on Alcoba, making a decisive late-race pass to take the win. Alcoba pushed hard in the second half and led into the final lap but ran wide at Turn 13, allowing Manzi to reclaim the lead. Oncu, despite a strong start, struggled with pace in the closing stages, finishing fourth. However, a track limits penalty dropped Masia from the podium to P4, promoting Oncu to third.
Masia had looked strong early, challenging Manzi and Oncu for the lead, but his final corner mistake cost him a podium finish. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #76) impressed by moving from P10 to finish fifth, while Casadei, after being forced wide by Oncu early on, was unable to recover and settled for sixth.
WorldSSP Race 1 Results
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +0.051s
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.329
Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +0.400s
Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +1.625s
Sunday Superpole Race
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed victory despite a collision with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in the Tissot Superpole Race for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The pair came together at Turn 5 on the opening lap, with the title fight going to Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) completing the podium at the Pirelli Spanish Round.
The title race took a HUGE twist when Bulega and Razgatlioglu collided at Turn 5, with ‘El Turco’ sliding into the gravel and out of the race. The incident was placed under investigation by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards, with the #11 given a Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding. Bulega went on to take victory and take 12 points out of Razgatlioglu’s Championship lead even after his penalty, while Razgatlioglu would start Race 2 from the fourth row in tenth place. The reigning Champion held a 22-point lead over Bulega heading into Race 2, meaning Bulega had to win with a non-score for Razgatlioglu to claim the title: ‘El Turco’ needed to lose 22 points or fewer to win the title, with countback going in his favour. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) battled his way up to second, ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) who completed the podium.
Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) once again fought for a podium, finishing in fourth place behind ‘The Maniac’ as he closed the gap on Iannone throughout the final few laps. However, he also had to resist a challenge from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) to hold on to P4, with the #22 finishing fifth.
Superpole Race Results
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.055s
Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) +5.236s
Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +6.484s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +6.900s
WorldSBK Race 2
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) secured his third MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title with a podium finish in Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed victory to complete a Pirelli Spanish Round hat-trick. Starting tenth, Razgatlioglu finished third, clinching the championship in the final race of the season.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) led early at Turn 1 ahead of Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC), while Bulega dropped from P1 to P3 but quickly passed Vierge and Bautista to take the lead by Lap 2. Razgatlioglu steadily climbed from tenth to sixth by Lap 2, knowing he needed just three points to secure the title. He moved into fifth on Lap 4, then into fourth on Lap 6, and claimed third from Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) on Lap 9, closing in on the podium as Bulega pulled away.
Bulega maintained a gap of over 3.5 seconds, but Bautista reduced it to 1.8 seconds by the finish. Bulega’s win secured Ducati the Manufacturers’ Championship and marked his 20th WorldSBK victory. Bautista rounded out the season with his 21st podium and 128th WorldSBK career podium. Razgatlioglu leaves WorldSBK as a three-time World Champion and joins an elite group moving to MotoGP alongside Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and Jonathan Rea.
Behind the leaders, a fierce battle for fourth unfolded. Vierge briefly took fourth on Lap 10, with Locatelli responding. Both ran wide at Turn 13, allowing Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) to slip through, but he later ran wide at Turn 1, dropping to sixth. Locatelli ultimately edged Vierge by 0.098 seconds to claim fourth in a tight contest among future Yamaha teammates.
“The feeling is amazing. This weekend was a bit stressful because everything was going very well, especially on Saturday. Today I came to the track more relaxed, just needing a P7 in the Tissot Superpole Race, but we crashed in Turn 5. After that, I stayed calm and just focused on Race 2 because I just needed a strong performance there. In the end, we won the title,” Razgatlioglu reflected.
WorldSBK Race 2 Results
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.793s
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +6.339s
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +8.833s
Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +8.931s
Championship Points
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 616 points
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 603
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 337
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 310
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 284
WorldSSP Race 2
In what was the final event of the FIM Supersport World Championship’s 2025 campaign, and while Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) had already locked up the Riders’ Championship, the field didn’t pull any punches. Race 2 of the Pirelli Spanish Round at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, saw Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) top the final podium of the season for his second WorldSSP win. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing #69) closed his campaign strong in P2 with his ninth podium of the season, ahead of P3 finisher Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who capped off his time in WorldSSP with his 20th rostrum result this crusade, one podium shy of Nicolo Bulega’s 2023 record. With the #51’s win, he overcame Booth-Amos’s two-point Championship lead to usurp the bronze medal from the fourth-year British rider.
At lights out, the front row maintained their positions on T1. In the run across the line to start Lap 2, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) took the race lead from Oncu, kicking off a scrap at the front over the first third of the contest between Masia, Oncu, Manzi, Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA #37) and Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing). With seven laps to go, Masia emerged at the front of the pack with more than a second of margin between him and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) behind him. Masia’s pace was very impressive, sticking lap after lap within the low 1’43’s. Booth-Amos looked as good as he had all season, battling with Manzi as the remaining laps ticked down. After a very tight final lap, Booth-Amos beat out the incumbent Champion in a mad dash to the line, shuffling the #62 to P3 while the #69 took P2. Unfortunately for the Englishman, however, with Masia’s win, he outscored the Brit by five points, enough to topple his two-point lead and boot Booth-Amos down to a P4 finish in the Riders’ Championship.
Can Oncu’s (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) pace fell off from Masia and the lead group as the race progressed; however, he did enough to claim P4. Oettl came out the faster of his protracted duel with Garcia, but in their battle, they let Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) past for P5.
WorldSSP Race 2 Results
Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +3.255s
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +3.262s
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +6.089s
Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) +6.999s
Championship Points
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 466
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 372
Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 265
Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 262
Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) 200
WorldSSP300 WorldSSP300 Race 1
The penultimate FIM Supersport 300 World Championship race in the category’s history was a spectacle to behold with plenty of drama as the field took to the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, in their final Pirelli Spanish Round.
After a red flag stoppage, Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) again led the field across the line for his third win in four races. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI #38) followed him across the line as he took home critical Riders’ Championship points and was tailed by Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing #88) in P3. A better ending to the WorldSSP300 Championship couldn’t be written, as the stage was set for a winner-takes-all three-way Race 2 on Sunday.
WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results
Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)
David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.019s
Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.248s
Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.438s
Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) +0.513
WorldSSP300 Race 2
The final FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season was sent out with a bang as the title-deciding Race 2 came down to the final sector to proclaim Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7) the race winner and 2025 World Champion. After a litany of penalties, Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) took home his fourth podium of the season in second and Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki #71) closed his 2025 with a fourth WorldSSP300 podium.
Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) 191
Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 168
WorldWCR WorldWCR Race 1
The FIM Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship took to the track for their penultimate race of the competition’s second season at the Pirelli Spanish Round.
And it was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team #6) who benefitted from a dramatic final lap to top the podium for the sixth time this season. Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport #15) followed her home in P2 for her fifth second-place result of the season and Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha #36) was leading the race into the final lap, then finished in P4, but a penalty sent her back up onto the podium in P3.
With these results, Herrera headed into the final race on Sunday with a 15-point lead over Neila, and Jones increased her lead for P3 ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team #96) by a further three points.
WorldWCR Race 1 Results
Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +0.291s
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +1.114s
Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell) +2.686s
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +5.503s
WorldWCR Race 2
The FIM Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship came all the way down to the wire as the deciding Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, crowned Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) as the 2025 World Champion!
18-year-old wildcard Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell #58) capped off her debut weekend by winning the final race of the season. Joining her on the final podium of the Pirelli Spanish Round was Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha), who took her 12th podium of the season, placing both second in the race and the Championship.
Claiming her second podium of the season, Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA #17) finished in third place to see off the 2025 WorldWCR campaign.
WorldWCR Race 2 Results
Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell)
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +9.578s
Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +9.678s
Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +9.803s
Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +10.032s
Championship Points
Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 245 points
Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 240
Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) 164
Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) 156
Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) 126
How did the Aussies Do?
Remy Gardner (#87) impressed in Superpole with a strong sixth (later promoted to fifth) on the grid and overcame a rear brake issue in Race 1 to finish a determined eighth after fighting in the podium group early on. Then, on Sunday, Gardner showed resilience after an early crash in the Superpole Race, battling through shoulder pain to finish 11th in Race 2 with a determined and steady performance.
PTR Triumph’s Oli Bayliss (#32) suffered bad luck again, retiring on lap 10 due to a technical issue while running P20 in the opening race. Starting from the same grid spot for the second bout, he frustratingly struggled to find his rhythm and finished just outside the points in 17th.
With over 90,000 spectators attending, Phillip Island put on good weather, not to mention the best racing we have seen at The Island since the Casey Stoner era. Miller, Agius, Kelso on the front row, two on the podium! Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP Photos: Brett Butler/MotoGP/AGP Corp
Senna Agius made history, becoming the first Aussie Moto2 rider to win at home.
Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying MotoGP
Talk about smashing the previous lap record! Marco Bezzecchi’s (Aprilia Racing) unbelievably rapid 1:26.492 saw the Italian comfortably lead the MotoGP pack heading into Saturday at the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and it was another Aprilia rider acting as the #72’s closest challenger. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) improved late on to make it an RS-GP 1-2 in Practice at Phillip Island, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) rounding out the top three as fellow Ducati star Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54), the latest winner, missed the Q2 cut.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20), take a bow! A new all-time lap record around Phillip Island is what it took to beat Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) to pole position in Australia, and that’s exactly what the Frenchman threw down.
That 1:26.465 from El Diablo was 0.031s quicker than the Italian’s best effort, and joining the duo on the front row was home hero Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43). The Australian dug deep to come through Q1 and delight the home faithful, setting us up good and proper for the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix.
Moto2
Diogo Moreira’s (Italtrans Racing Team #10) title hopes are more than real, as the Brazilian topped the opening day of action in Moto2 at Phillip Island. A deficit of just nine points meant it was very much game on, and after two crashes for Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18) on the first day, Moreira most definitely had the momentum into Saturday.
Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) started the Moto2 Australian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday after a dramatic, tantalising Q2 played out at Phillip Island. Home hero Senna Agius (#81) would line up in the middle of the front row, with his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP teammate Manuel Gonzalez completing a top three that was split by a slender 0.076s.
Moto3
A 1:34.726 from David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) handed the Spaniard a lap record-breaking top spot on Friday at the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, as teammate Adrian Fernandez (#31) and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Alvaro Carpe (#83) rounded out the top three.
A first pole of the season, and what a place to do it; Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA #66) was unstoppable, becoming the first Australian to take pole in Moto3 at Phillip Island. Behind him, newly crowned World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) and Mandalika podium finisher Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse #58) completed the front row.
Saturday Tissot Sprint
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) made it two Tissot Sprint victories in a row, overcoming early drama at Phillip Island to pass Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) with three laps to go and take the win. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) rounded out the podium after a tight scrap for third that went down to the wire, with P3 to P5 covered by just a tenth of a second.
Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) grabbed the holeshot, but Fernandez moved into the lead by Turn 2 and headed the opening lap. Bezzecchi slotted into second, racing with extra aero parts on his Aprilia after an unexpected seagull strike on the Warm Up Lap. Polesitter Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) dropped to sixth, behind Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and Acosta. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33) crashed out at Turn 2 on the opening lap.
Up front, Fernandez and Bezzecchi pulled away in an Aprilia 1-2, while the battle for third intensified. Marquez came under fire from Miller, Acosta and Quartararo, with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #44) solid in seventh. Miller and Marquez swapped places on Laps 5 and 6, while Acosta made a double pass at Turn 1 on Lap 7 to move into podium contention.
By Lap 9, Bezzecchi was back on Fernandez’s rear wheel and made his move at Turn 2 on Lap 10. One lap later, Indonesian GP winner Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) crashed out at Turn 6 but was unhurt.
Bezzecchi sealed the win with a controlled final lap, while Fernandez secured his second consecutive Sprint podium, marking the first-ever Aprilia 1-2 in a Tissot Sprint. Acosta held off last-lap pressure from Miller and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) to claim third – making it the first Sprint without a Ducati on the podium.
“It has been nice. Super tough, because I never thought, honestly, about the victory. Only the journalists thought about it. But I didn’t even expect a podium,” Bezzecchi stated.
Tissot Sprint Race Results
Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia (+3.149s)
Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+5.310s)
Jack Miller Pramac Yamaha (5.376s)
Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+5.416s)
Sunday MotoGP
Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) delivered a flawless ride at Phillip Island to claim his maiden MotoGP victory – and the team’s first ever in the premier class. With his win, every team on the grid has now celebrated a MotoGP Grand Prix victory.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) carved through from P10 to take second, just 1.4s off Fernandez, while Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) stormed to third after serving a double Long Lap penalty, making a late move on Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP).
Bezzecchi took the holeshot from the front row, with Fernandez quickly into second and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in third. That trio built an early gap over a chasing pack led by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Notified of his penalty on Lap 2, Bezzecchi delayed serving it to build a buffer. On Lap 5, he finally took the first Long Lap, dropping behind Fernandez and Acosta. The second came shortly after, putting him behind Di Giannantonio in P5. Meanwhile, crashes for Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR #5) and Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) brought heartbreak for Aussie fans. Out front, Fernandez hit the front and never looked back, pulling 1.1s clear of Acosta by Lap 6.
Di Giannantonio passed Quartararo for fourth on Lap 8, with Bezzecchi following through soon after. By Lap 13, Fernandez’s lead was 1.4s over Acosta, who was under pressure from Marquez. On Lap 16, Marquez made his move into P2, but Fernandez was already three seconds up the road. With eight laps to go, Di Giannantonio took third from Acosta, and Bezzecchi followed suit to grab fourth. Di Giannantonio then passed Marquez for second in a bold move at Turn 10, but the gap to Fernandez remained steady at around 2.6s.
Bezzecchi wasn’t done yet. On the penultimate lap, he lunged past Marquez to seal third, ending just 2.4s behind the winner despite his penalties. Fernandez crossed the line for a breakthrough MotoGP win, capping off a dream day for Trackhouse.
Di Giannantonio’s late charge secured second, while Bezzecchi’s gritty ride earned him a crucial podium – and P3 in the World Championship – after Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) crashed out.
Marquez finished fourth, delaying his shot at the 2025 silver medal. Acosta held off Luca Marini (Castrol Honda HRC #10) by just 0.040s for fifth.
“I cannot believe it, I’m sorry because I am not believing,” Fernandez said. “After a long time, we found something – all the team always believed in me, they never stopped supporting me. It is a consequence of hard work, so thanks to them. The last five laps were super long for me.”
MotoGP Race Results
Raul Fernandez Trackhouse Aprilia
Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+1.418s)
Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) became the first Australian in Moto2™ history to win his home Grand Prix, delivering a dominant ride at Phillip Island just 12 months after his first World Championship podium. The crowd had even more to cheer as the battle for second raged between David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #80) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team), with the Brazilian taking crucial points from title leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP).
Agius made a perfect start, storming into the lead at Turn 1 ahead of polesitter Moreira and Gonzalez. Alonso settled into fourth with Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP #71) close behind. On Lap 3, Agius ran deep into Turn 1 but held the lead as Moreira dropped to fourth behind Gonzalez and Alonso. Sasaki challenged next but couldn’t get past Moreira at Miller Corner. By Lap 8, Alonso moved into second ahead of Gonzalez, but Moreira quickly retook both at Turn 4 to reclaim P2. On Lap 10, Alonso ran wide at Turn 10, allowing Moreira and Gonzalez back through. With Agius already over two seconds ahead, the podium fight intensified.
Gonzalez briefly retook second at the halfway mark, but Moreira struck back on Lap 13. Just behind, Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96) launched an aggressive charge, tangling with Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #75) in a fierce battle. Alonso got past Moreira for P2 with six laps to go and then pulled off a repeat move at Turn 1 to solidify the position.
Further back, Gonzalez struggled to hold on. Dixon and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team #27) both passed him, with Holgado diving into fourth on Lap 20. Gonzalez then dropped another spot to Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing #7), losing more vital points in the title fight.
Up front, Agius cruised to a historic victory, essentially unchallenged in the final laps. Alonso secured second, while Moreira’s third cut his deficit to Gonzalez in the standings to just two points. Holgado impressed in fourth, Dixon finished fifth, and Baltus took sixth – crucially stealing a point from Gonzalez, who crossed the line seventh.
Agius’ emotional win on home soil marked a milestone moment for Australian motorsport, and with the title fight tightening behind him, the championship heads into its final stretch wide open.
Moto2 Race Results
Senna Agius Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP
David Alonso CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (+3.684s)
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+3.721s)
Daniel Holgado CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team (+4.440s)
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing (+4.451s)
Moto2 Championship Points
Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 247
Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 245
Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 212
Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 205
Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 190
Moto3
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed his 10th win of the 2025 season with a masterful ride at Phillip Island, fending off home hero Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) in a two-man showdown. The pair finished a dominant 12 seconds ahead of the rest, with Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) winning the fight for third – securing the Teams’ Championship for Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Kelso didn’t lead into Turn 1 from pole but immediately struck back at Turn 2 to take control. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #28) quickly moved into third as Kelso and Rueda built an early gap. By the end of Lap 2, they were already a second clear of the chasing pack.
Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #12) made it two Aussies in the top four and set the fastest lap, but his home race ended in heartbreak with a crash at Turn 6 on Lap 4. At the front, Rueda and Kelso extended their lead to 2.4s, while Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #36) suffered a near-crash at the final corner and dropped to 24th after a run through the gravel.
Rueda hit the front on Lap 7, and by Lap 11 the lead duo were over seven seconds clear, with Kelso glued to the rear wheel of the World Champion. Despite a late push from the Aussie, Rueda maintained composure and crossed the line just ahead after a flawless final lap, denying Kelso a dream home win.
Joel Kelso.
Behind them, a fierce battle for third raged between Quiles, Carpe, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team #78), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), David Almansa (Leopard Racing) and Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA #18).
Joel Kelso made history, the first ever Aussie pole in Australia in Moto3…
In the end, it was Carpe who held his nerve to secure the final podium place, with Esteban taking a career-best fourth while standing in for Dennis Foggia. Quiles finished fifth, narrowly missing the podium and delaying his Rookie of the Year celebrations.
While Rueda again proved his World Champion status, Kelso’s runner-up ride thrilled the home fans – and Carpe’s podium helped Red Bull KTM Ajo seal the Teams’ title in style.
Moto3 Race Results
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo
Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA (+0.829s)
Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+12.638s)
Joel Esteban CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (12.696s)
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (+12.773s)
Moto3 Championship Points
Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 365
Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 231
Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 228
David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 197
Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA – 179
How Did the Aussies Do?
Jack Miller thrilled the home crowd at the Australian GP with his best Sprint result of the season, as, after qualifying second in Q1 and third in Q2, he battled to a hard-fought fourth place in the Sprint at Phillip Island. Sadly, his Sunday race didn’t go to plan, for he crashed out on Lap 5 in what was his 250th Grand Prix appearance.
Jack Miller.
Agius delivered another strong performance on home soil, qualifying second, just 0.011 seconds off polesitter Diogo Moreira, to set himself up for a promising Sunday. And he delivered, as the Aussie rising star put on a scintillating display to reign supreme in the race, making history as the first rider from his country to win the Australian Grand Prix in the Moto2 class.
Joel Kelso kicked off his home GP weekend by storming to pole in Moto3. He then backed that up with a masterful second in the main dance to cap off a superb weekend at the office.
Jacob Roulstone.
Earning 13th in qualifying on home turf, Jacob Roulstone was looking for more in the race. But it wasn’t to be, for, despite roaring off the line and starting the race wonderfully, a crash frustratingly ended his day while running third on Lap 4. Wildcard Harrison Voight showed maturity and speed, filling in at MSI Racing, finishing 26th on debut.
Check out our three huge Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix galleries here…
Today’s eagerly anticipated Homecoming Ride 2025 delivered in spectacular fashion, with more than 500 riders joining a star-studded convoy from San Remo to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The event was hailed a great success, blending fanfare, respect and a strong road safety message for all.
The 2025 homecoming convoy was led by MotoGP legend Casey Stoner, joined by Australian favourite Jack Miller and international talents Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Enea Bastianini and Fermin Aldeguer. Also taking part were rising Australian Moto2™ and Moto3™ competitors Senna Agius, Joel Kelso and Jacob Roulstone, riding shoulder to shoulder with enthusiasts and supporters.
The procession crossed the San Remo Bridge before winding through Cowes and into the circuit precincts, where the group completed two laps of the iconic Phillip Island GP track together.
Organisers and participants alike praised the atmosphere as respectful but exuberant — a highlight of the race-week build up. Many fans remarked that riding alongside heroes they usually only see at the track was a truly unforgettable experience.
The Homecoming Ride has long carried a dual mission: not only to bring fans closer to the stars, but to spotlight the importance of road safety and rider awareness. In 2025, that message resonated even more strongly — especially given Australia’s efforts to reduce motorcycle incidents and promote safer riding culture.
The turnout of over 500 bikes showcased the depth of enthusiasm in the Australian motorcycling community. The inclusion of both MotoGP legends and next-generation Australian talent reinforced the unifying spirit of the ride. The decision to couple spectacle with safety awareness elevated the Homecoming Ride beyond a parade — it became a public statement about responsible motorcycling.
World Champion MotoGP rider and legend is on the road to recovery | Following further medical evaluation, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid, Spain.The decision to operate came after the Ducati Lenovo Team rider’s follow-up examination one week after his initial diagnosis. Despite a week of immobilisation, specialists found that the coracoid fracture and ligament damage to Márquez’s right shoulder blade were not healing as expected. Concerned about possible long-term instability, the medical team—led by Dr Samuel Antuña and Dr Ignacio Roger de Oña—opted for surgical stabilisation and repair of the acromioclavicular ligaments.
Marc Marquez became Ducati’s fourth MotoGP world champ in Japan this year.
Doctors had considered surgery as an option from the beginning, depending on how Márquez’s shoulder responded to conservative treatment. When the follow-up scans and clinical tests showed limited improvement, the decision was made to proceed with an operation to ensure complete recovery and avoid future complications. The procedure, performed on Friday, was described as a success, with no reported issues during surgery or early recovery.The operation marks the latest setback in what had otherwise been a dominant season for Márquez. After clinching his first MotoGP title with Ducati and his ninth world crown overall, the Spaniard sustained the injury during the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika. While he managed to finish the weekend, post-race discomfort and swelling led to the diagnosis of a small fracture at the base of the coracoid process and associated ligament damage.Following the initial assessment, Márquez’s doctors prescribed immobilisation and rest, ruling him out of the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix. The hope was that the fracture would stabilise naturally without surgical intervention, but a lack of sufficient bone consolidation prompted the change of approach.Now recovering at home in Madrid, Márquez will begin a carefully monitored rehabilitation program over the coming weeks. The length of his recovery will depend on how quickly the shoulder heals and regains strength, with medical staff scheduling regular check-ups to track progress. Ducati officials confirmed that no specific return date has been set, though the rider is expected to miss at least the next two rounds.In a brief statement issued through his management team, Márquez expressed relief that the procedure went well and confidence in the recovery plan. “The operation was successful and everything is fine. Now it’s time to rest and follow the doctors’ instructions step by step,” he said. “The goal is to come back when I’m completely fit. I want to thank everyone for their messages and the team for their support.”Márquez’s absence leaves Ducati to rely on teammate Francesco Bagnaia and test rider Michele Pirro for the remaining flyaway races. Despite the frustration of ending his title-winning season on the sidelines, the 32-year-old remains focused on long-term health and being fully prepared for the 2026 campaign.
