Several MotoGP riders are wary about racing on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions
Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia is leading calls for MotoGP to move the Australian Grand Prix to Saturday amid concerns over strong winds forecast for Sunday at Phillip Island.
Bagnaia said he plans to raise the issue with the Safety Commission, as wind is expected to reach up to 50 km/h on race day.
There is precedent for such a move, with MotoGP having advanced the Melbourne race to Saturday in 2023 due to predictions of heavy rain and wind.
That decision allowed the grand prix to run safely, although the sprint was later cancelled after being moved to Sunday, when the weather was at its worst.
“I think that a good solution will be to make the long race tomorrow,” Bagnaia said unprompted in his media briefing on Friday. ”I will speak about it in the safety commission
“The track is very very bumpy and the wind today was already on the limit. And it looks like it will be the day with less [the least] wind.
“Sunday could be very tricky, like it was three years ago. So it will be important to speak well about the safety [commission] and try to find some solution.”
Luca Marini, Honda HRC
Bagnaia wasn’t the only rider to raise concerns about the safety of racing in windy conditions, with his Honda counterpart Luca Marini warning about potential incidents in lower classes.
“I hope that somebody will take the decision before seeing Moto2 riders crash,” said the Italian.
“Because this happened in the past and it's something that we don't want. It's better to be more careful, more on the safe side, because this track is heavy when you crash."
Yamaha’s Alex Rins also supported discussing the issue in the Safety Commission even before he had turned his first laps at the Phillip Island Circuit.
“For sure, on Friday we are going to talk on the safety commission,” he said on Thursday. “Already two years ago, we did the main race on Saturday and Sunday was cancelled. Let's see."
Photos from Australian GP - Practice
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Ai Ogura, Trackhouse Racing
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Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
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Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
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Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
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Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
William West - AFP - Getty Images
Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
William West - AFP - Getty Images
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
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Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
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Joan Mir, Honda HRC
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Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Michele Pirro, Ducati Team
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Pol Espargaro, KTM Tech 3
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Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing, Miguel Oliveira, Pramac Racing
William West - AFP - Getty Images
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
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Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing, Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
William West - AFP - Getty Images
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Michele Pirro, Ducati Team
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Somkiat Chantra, Team LCR Honda
Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
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