There is a distinct end‑of‑era feeling hanging over the Circuito de Phillip Island this week. This is the 30th and final time the Australian Grand Prix will be held at this legendary venue before the championship moves to Adelaide for 2027 — and if the farewell atmosphere wasn’t enough to crank up the emotion, the title fight itself has delivered a script no one could have written. Just two points separate Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez at the top, with Marco Bezzecchi still very much in contention. Welcome to the last dance.
The Numbers Behind the Tightest Title Race in Years
Heading into Round 18, the standings show just how close this has become:
| 1 | Jorge Martin | Aprilia Racing | 355 | — |
| 2 | Marc Marquez | Ducati Lenovo | 353 | -2 |
| 3 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing | 309 | -46 |
That two‑point margin matches the closest top‑two gap after 17 races in championship history — a record set back in 2022, when Fabio Quartararo led Francesco Bagnaia by the same exact number before Bagnaia seized the initiative right here at Phillip Island. History, it seems, is watching.
Press Conference — Bezzecchi, Fernandez and Miller Open Up
Three riders took centre stage at the pre‑event press conference, each with their own compelling story heading into the weekend:
Marco Bezzecchi — Momentum on His Side
Fresh from his first win since Mugello at Mandalika, Bezzecchi arrives as the defending Sprint winner from 2025 and the only rider within striking distance of the top two. He knows the gap is large — 46 points — but also knows this is the stretch of the calendar where he found his best form 12 months ago.
“Wet races are tough, dry is never easy,” Bezzecchi admitted. “But we’ve got momentum now. We’re on the podium, we’re winning races, and that’s what we need to carry forward. I love this track — it’s special to me — and I’m going to give everything right to the end.”
Raul Fernandez — Defending Champion on Home Turf
Fernandez claimed his maiden MotoGP victory here last season, holding off Fabio Di Giannantonio in a thrilling finish. He knows what it takes to get around the Island fast, and with a midfield title scrap heating up, he will be looking to repeat the dose.
Jack Miller — Farewell Tour Begins
For Miller, this is more than a race — it’s his final Australian Grand Prix. The local hero has been a fixture in the paddock for years and will be desperate to sign off in style.
“I’m getting older but I’m definitely not getting wiser,” he laughed during the conference. “I just go out there and ride. I’d love to give the fans something to cheer about one last time.”
Title Contenders Speak — Martin, Marquez and Acosta
Martin — “Every Point Counts”
The championship leader knows that with such a slender advantage, nothing can be taken for granted.
“If we can take points from Marc, it’s always good,” Martin acknowledged. “We saw in Indonesia how quickly things can change — and how quickly they can stay the same. We just need to be consistent, keep fighting, and make sure we leave here with the lead intact.”
Phillip Island is one of six anti‑clockwise tracks on the calendar — a layout that places different physical demands on both bike and rider. Martin will be looking to build on his recent run of podiums, having finished in the top three in the last three Sunday races.
Marquez — The Island Has Been Kind
If anyone knows how to win here, it’s Marquez. The Spaniard has four Phillip Island victories to his name, though he faces a different challenge this time around — switching from Honda to Ducati machinery mid‑season and adapting to the Aprilia threat.
“Left‑handers, rain and Aprilia — that’s the forecast here,” he said. “This track has been good to me, but the conditions are always tricky. We need to be ready for anything.”
Acosta — No Friends Out on Track
Pedro Acosta sits fourth in the standings, just a single point behind Bezzecchi’s teammate Ai Ogura, and has no intention of playing nice in the title fight.
“There are no friends,” the KTM rider said bluntly. “Everyone is racing for themselves. If it rains, anything can happen — and that’s where I want to be.”
What Else is Happening — Transfers, Titles and Records
2027 Rider Lineup Takes Shape
The silly season is officially in full swing, with two major announcements confirmed this week:
- Diogo Moreira will partner Fabio Quartararo at Honda HRC Castrol next season. The top rookie of 2026 already has one eye on the future — and a home race in Brazil to look forward to.
- David Alonso steps up from Moto2 to join Pro Honda LCR, partnering Johann Zarco. The Colombian described the move as “the best option to start in MotoGP”.
Junior Class Decisions
- Maximo Quiles is officially the 2026 Moto3 World Champion, having secured the title in Indonesia.
- Brian Uriarte can seal Moto3 Rookie of the Year this weekend — he leads by 88 points and needs to extend that advantage beyond 100 to claim the honour.
- In Moto2, Kalex can wrap up a 14th consecutive Constructors’ title — unless rival Boscoscuro outscores them by 12 points or more.
Off‑Track News
- Red Bull has been confirmed as title sponsor for the Australian Grand Prix across this weekend and the move to Adelaide in 2027.
- The MotoGP showcase at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at COTA was also confirmed, with Dani Pedrosa, Nicolo Bulega, Andrea Dovizioso and Lorenzo Savadori taking part in the demonstration run on 24 October.
Weekend Schedule — How to Watch
The action gets underway on Friday with Free Practice 1 and 2, before the Tissot Sprint takes centre stage on Saturday afternoon. The main Grand Prix race closes out the weekend on Sunday. The traditional rider parade will go ahead, with a twist — riders will tour the track in individual vehicles rather than the usual open‑top bus, giving fans a closer look at their heroes.
This is it — the final chapter at Phillip Island. Five races remain, and two points separate the best in the business. History is ready to be written.
