10 points + one Island = showstopper guaranteed
Phillip Island Prepares to Decide MotoGP Contenders as the Final Stages Begin
As the final stretch of the 2024 MotoGP™ season gets underway, Phillip Island is set to play a pivotal role in determining who will contend for the crown and who will have their loyalties tested. After an intense weekend at Motegi, the points gap at the top has narrowed to just 10 points as the grid heads to the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) delivered a perfectly timed double victory at Motegi, but Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) handled the pressure brilliantly, matching Bagnaia’s performance to close the gap. This 1-2 result now brings the two leaders closer in the standings than they have been in recent weeks, creating a thrilling showdown. The title challenge for Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) has become nearly impossible, but “nearly” leaves room for surprises.
The Last Stand for Bastianini and Marquez
Phillip Island will be the final chance for Bastianini and Marquez to stay in the title hunt. The venue, steeped in MotoGP™ history, will host its first Tissot Sprint after weather disrupted last year’s schedule. Both Bagnaia and Martin have yet to win at Phillip Island, so while they can afford to lose points, faltering here could spell disaster for their title aspirations.
Bastianini’s best result at the circuit, a fifth-place finish, suggests he may be seeking a less dramatic but just as crucial outcome to keep him in the chase. On the other hand, Marquez boasts an impressive record at the Island, with four victories, three additional podiums, and a string of pole positions that ties him with Casey Stoner. Marquez is sure to give it his all in what could be one more explosive performance at the legendary circuit.
LIGHTING THE FUSE
For many riders, Phillip Island will be about fireworks, not just points. Home hero Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) put on a show at Motegi, battling at the front before fading to a top-ten finish. His teammate, Brad Binder, also left Japan with fewer results than anticipated, but no rider will be hungrier for redemption than rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). After securing his first MotoGP™ pole position, Acosta looked strong in Motegi before crashing out on both Saturday and Sunday. He’s expected to come out swinging in Australia.
Other riders with strong histories at the circuit include Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who has often found something special at the Island, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), who will be an interesting contender on the fast, flowing track—almost the opposite of the hard-braking Motegi. The Ducati riders will be crucial as well, with Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) seeking to maintain his edge over Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) will look to rebound from his penalty-induced frustrations after his collision with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) in Motegi.
TURNING THE PAGE
Joan Mir, having had his home Honda weekend cut short at Motegi, will be eager for redemption, while his teammate Luca Marini continues to rack up the kilometers and collect points. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also aims for a stronger showing, despite an incident with teammate Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) on Saturday. Zarco, however, will be motivated by his spectacular victory at Phillip Island last year and will look to reignite that spark.
Meanwhile, riders like Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) will be aiming to climb up the standings. Lorenzo Savadori is expected to step in for Miguel Oliveira once more, while Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) seeks to end his time at Phillip Island on a high note, hoping to improve on his Motegi performance.
Four Contenders, One Crown
With just 10 points separating the top two riders, but a mathematical chance still existing for four contenders, Phillip Island is poised to determine who will be gunning for the title. The highly anticipated first Sprint at the Island will add an extra layer of excitement, and with the championship at stake, it promises to be a weekend full of drama.
The battle Down Under is about to begin. Will it be Bagnaia, Martin, or will someone else upset the order?
SHOWTIME SCHEDULE
Saturday
Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +11)
Sunday
Grand Prix: 14:00 (UTC +11)
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at Phillip Island!
Moto2™: Ogura faces first match point on the Island
Sometimes Gambles Don’t Pay Off, but Ai Ogura’s Did in Japan
Ai Ogura and the MT Helmets – MSI team took a daring risk by opting for slick tyres in challenging conditions at the Japan GP, and it paid off in a big way. The #79 rider’s bold strategy led to a crucial 20-point gain, propelling the Japanese star closer to his goal of becoming the Moto2™ World Champion, right on his home soil.
Although Ogura may have felt some disappointment after narrowly missing out on a home GP victory to first-time winner Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™), he can take solace in his significant 60-point lead over teammate Sergio Garcia with just four races remaining. Ogura’s mission is now clear: if he maintains a lead of more than 75 points by Sunday afternoon, he will secure the championship title.
The Gamble That Others Didn’t Take
While Ogura gambled successfully on slick tyres, his main title rivals chose not to follow suit. Sergio Garcia, currently second in the standings, finished in a modest P14, allowing Ogura to widen the gap. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) also made gains, finishing in P9 and overtaking Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) to move into third place in the championship. Canet, on the other hand, finished outside the points, leaving his title hopes in a precarious position.
With 18 points separating second to seventh place in the Moto2™ Championship standings, the race for runner-up is heating up. Garcia, Lopez, Canet, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing), Gonzalez, and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) must act quickly and start making significant inroads into Ogura’s commanding lead if they want to stay in the hunt.
Can Ogura Clinch the Title in Australia?
The question now is whether Ogura can wrap up the championship as early as the next race at Phillip Island. With his current momentum, all eyes will be on the Japanese rider as he looks to continue his charge toward the title. The clock is ticking for his rivals, and Down Under may just be the place where Ogura’s championship dreams come true.
We’re about to find out!
Moto3™: pressure off as Phillip Island beckons
2024 Moto3™ Champion David Alonso Chases History at Phillip Island
With the 2024 Moto3™ title already secured by David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), the pressure is off as the grid heads to Phillip Island. Now, the focus shifts to one thing: victory. The Colombian rider made history in Japan, and with even more records within reach, the question is: can anyone stop the World Champion’s momentum?
Alonso’s 10th win of the season brings him just one shy of Valentino Rossi’s record of 11 victories in the lightweight class. With four races remaining, Alonso has a chance to solidify his status as arguably the greatest lightweight class rider, statistically speaking, by the time the season concludes in Valencia. But with the title already decided, many others will be pushing hard to finish their season on a high with a win or two.
The Fight for Runner-Up
While Alonso has clinched the championship, the battle for second place is heating up between three riders, all of whom are eyeing a strong finish before stepping up to Moto2™ in 2025. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) currently holds P2 with 212 points, just four points ahead of Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who sits at 208. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), who looked like the rider to beat in Motegi before crashing from second place, remains in contention with 191 points heading into the Australian GP. This is a contest worth watching closely as the season winds down.
Home Hero Joel Kelso Aims for the Podium
All eyes will also be on home hero Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), who is hungry for a podium finish at Phillip Island. The Australian secured a third-place finish in front of his home crowd in 2023, and he’ll be aiming to replicate or surpass that achievement in 2024. After crashing out of the lead group in Japan, Kelso will be even more determined to deliver a strong result in front of his supporters. Can he stand on the box for the first time this season?
Tune in to find out as the Moto3™ riders return to action at Phillip Island!
Official MotoGP Press Release
