Marc Marquez set the pace in the opening MotoGP session at Phillip Island, beginning the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at the head of the order. Raul Fernandez and Jack Miller followed, while Jorge Martin ended the session seventh. The championship rivals arrived in Australia separated by only two points.

The session produced plenty of drama before the final classification took shape. Iker Lecuona crashed in the early stages and Brad Binder suffered a major engine failure. Fernandez also fell and was seen holding his injured hand, but returned to the circuit and briefly went fastest. Miller then reached the top on new tyres before suffering a heavy crash shortly afterwards. Marquez ultimately took over with his late push for the best time.

A final Phillip Island chapter

This is the last Australian Grand Prix scheduled for Phillip Island for the foreseeable future. The circuit hosted its first Australian GP in 1989 and, apart from the cancellations in 2020 and 2021, has staged the event continuously since 1997. The race will move to a new street circuit in Adelaide from 2027.

Marquez has five MotoGP wins at Phillip Island, including the 2024 race with Gresini Ducati. The other riders on this year’s grid who have won a MotoGP race at the circuit are Fernandez, Johann Zarco and Alex Rins, with one victory each. Miller is also making his final Australian Grand Prix appearance before moving to WorldSBK next season.

Toprak Razgatlioglu and Joan Mir are also missing from the field. Razgatlioglu will sit out the rest of the season while he heads for surgery after his shoulder injury at Mandalika. Mir remains in treatment for severe fatigue problems and will not be replaced at Phillip Island. Aleix Espargaro is heading for surgery because of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome. Friday was expected to bring sunshine, but rain showers and cooler temperatures were forecast for Saturday and Sunday, conditions that could alter the competitive picture.

The circuit records add another layer to Marquez’s prospects. Fabio Quartararo holds the outright lap record on a Yamaha, with a 1m 26.465s lap set in 2025. Marquez owns the fastest race lap: 1m 27.765s, recorded in 2024.