Francesco Bagnaia said MotoGP riders were not consulted before the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was cancelled. The race was not called off because the circuit was judged impossible to ride. The decisive issue was visibility: medical helicopters could not operate safely in those conditions.

The Ducati Lenovo Team rider said competitors must respect race management’s decision when circumstances affect the safety operation. He also made clear that he would have preferred to race. Bagnaia described the conditions as cold and somewhat difficult, but argued that MotoGP had competed in worse conditions before.

Sunday turned into a wait of several hours, with no race eventually taking place. Bagnaia regarded the outcome as a disappointing way for Phillip Island’s MotoGP chapter to end, saying the circuit deserved a better send-off. He pointed to the close racing seen the previous day and expressed hope that the championship could return to the venue in the future.

Agius shares the frustration

Australian rider Senna Agius was equally devastated. The cancellation cost him the chance to contest his first premier-class race in his home country at Phillip Island. Moto2 had been cancelled roughly two hours earlier, and MotoGP was then also removed from the programme.

Agius said the circuit appeared rideable and did not have much standing water, while accepting that safety had to come first and that the decision involved a wider operational picture. He nevertheless described the outcome as a major disappointment for the fans and the sport. The next Australian Grand Prix is expected to take place in Adelaide, where Agius is set to have his first premier-class race in Australia.