“If you make a mistake, it’s a disaster”
Thursday Highlights: Quotes, Photos, and Insights from the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
The action-packed start to MotoGP™ Round 17 at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has arrived, bringing excitement to Phillip Island, a favorite among riders and fans. This marks the beginning of a crucial triple-header, with unpredictable conditions ahead. Thursday’s media day featured two press conferences where top contenders, including Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), shared their thoughts ahead of the big weekend.
In the first press conference, Martin and Bagnaia discussed the challenges and unpredictability of the Australian circuit. The second press conference brought together Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), 2023 winner Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), and Australian home hero Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Key Quotes from the Day:
JORGE MARTIN (Prima Pramac Racing)
Is this the most challenging weekend?
PEDRO ACOSTA (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)
On the challenge and improvement:
“Japan was a dream, but it was also the weekend where I was the most competitive. I’m excited for Phillip Island, one of my favorite tracks. We’ve made progress in recent races, and I’m eager to see how we perform here.”
On Ducati’s dominance:
“They’re not untouchable. They’ve been one step ahead, but we’re not far behind. We need to believe in ourselves, stay open to what the factory and test team are doing, and keep pushing.”
JACK MILLER (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
On the thrill of being back home:
“It’s always special coming back to Phillip Island, especially after spending time at home in Townsville. The love from the fans here keeps growing every year. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since my win—it feels like just yesterday.”
On expectations for the weekend:
“Anything is possible here, and sometimes, you can mask small issues on this track. Weather conditions look unpredictable, but I feel confident. The less dry track time, the better for us. Hopefully, we can start strong and make solid progress throughout the weekend.”
On Pedro Acosta’s performance:
“He’s riding like a seasoned veteran, leading the charge for us. It’s easy to forget he’s a rookie, but he’s doing a fantastic job, as is Brad. They’re making it work.”
JOHANN ZARCO (CASTROL Honda LCR)
On returning to the scene of his first victory:
“Phillip Island has always had a special feeling. Last year’s win was incredible, and arriving here with the fantastic weather just brings back great memories. It’s one of the best tracks, and I’m happy it was where I got my first MotoGP™ win.”
On expectations for the weekend:
“The last two GPs gave a boost to me and the team. Phillip Island doesn’t emphasize acceleration, which has been our challenge, so we hope to lose less time here. We made a step forward at Misano, and we’ll confirm it here.”
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA (Ducati Lenovo Team)
On the challenges of Phillip Island:
“We expect complications this weekend, mainly due to the tyres and weather. Phillip Island is always tricky to figure out, but the new asphalt looks good. Hopefully, it’ll give us a better feeling than last year.”
On leading the Championship:
“We’ve learned that it’s not crucial to be leading right now. It’s all about Valencia. Gaining or losing points here won’t decide the championship, so we’ll try our best, but the focus is on the final races.”
Final Thoughts:
As the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix heats up, all eyes are on the title contenders and how they’ll handle the ever-changing conditions at Phillip Island. Check out more quotes and key talking points from Thursday’s press conferences and stay tuned for live updates as the weekend unfolds! Track action kicks off on Friday—don’t miss a moment!
| Di Giannantonio to miss Malaysian and Valencia GPs |
| Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) has announced that he’ll return to Italy after the Thai GP to undergo surgery on his left shoulder. Consequently, the Italian will miss the Malaysian GP and Valencia GP as he aims to be at full fitness for the 2025 season. |
Official MotoGP Press Release
