Ducati considers the Phillip Island MotoGP cancellation the right call, even though it changed the shape of the title fight. Rain continued from Sunday morning into the early afternoon in Australia, but the track surface itself was not the decisive issue. Visibility was too poor for the medical helicopters to operate safely, removing the emergency cover required for the race.

Davide Tardozzi, manager of the Ducati Lenovo Team, said the circuit conditions might have allowed racing and pointed out that MotoGP has competed in worse weather before. The helicopter situation changed that assessment: without the required medical helicopter, the race could not begin. Tardozzi therefore regards race direction’s decision as the safest one, with rider protection taking priority over the championship consequences.

A favourable outcome for Márquez

Jorge Martín had been declared unfit after breaking his wrist in his Sprint crash. The cancellation denied Marc Márquez the chance to race with his main title rival absent from the grid, but the points picture still moved in his favour. Márquez arrived in Australia two points behind Martín and left with a 10-point advantage.

Ducati had already filled all three Sprint podium positions. Phillip Island has suited Márquez in the past and is also considered a strong circuit for the Aprilia RS-GP. Tardozzi viewed the result as evidence that Ducati remains highly competitive, while acknowledging that rivals will be stronger at some of the next circuits. He also felt Márquez managed the Sprint correctly, as Ducati’s attention turned to Malaysia.