Early start for Aus GP

Since 2008, the race has got underway at 4:00 PM, mainly to suit European television schedules, but in recent years, riders have expressed concerns that colder ambient and track temperatures at this time of the day are a safety risk, especially when the fickle Phillip Island weather is already cool.

Shortly after last year’s Australian GP, discussions between Dorna and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) posited a new start time of 3:00 PM for the MotoGP race, with the preceding Moto2 and Moto3 races also shuffled back one hour in the race day schedule.

Following consultation with the AGPC again earlier this year, the result is that the 2019 event’s race day – Sunday, 27 October - will now see Moto3 start at 12 Noon, Moto2 at 1:20 PM and MotoGP at 3:00 PM.

The change will not impact the support programme, according to the AGPC, with no national-class races (Australian Superbikes and Australian Supersport 300) to be cut from the schedule.

For updates on the schedule, ticketing info and more details for the 2019 Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island this 25 - 27 October, go to https://www.motogp.com.au/