MotoGP: Márquez tops title-chase after Michelin shines in Australia, but grand prix canceled
Difficult weather at Phillip Island led to the cancellation of Sunday's Red Bull Grand Prix of Australia. Not all the action was scrubbed, however, and Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) succeeded in topping Qualifying for the 2026 MotoGPTM World Championship's 18th clash before winning Saturday's sprint to go ahead in the provisional standings. Meanwhile, Michelin's Power range performed strongly over the first two days at what is seen as one of the season's toughest tracks for tires. Read on for more about what happened at the Australian GP.
True to reputation, Phillip Island offered a mix of conditions over the weekend, beginning with summery weather for Friday when the thermometer climbed to 28°C (track: 45°C), then rain for the following day's Free Practice 2 and Qualifying.
The circuit was dry again for the sprint race when the track temperature stood at 31°C, prompting everyone but LCR Honda's Johann Zarco (medium front) to combine the hard-compound front Michelin slick with the soft rear.
Saturday's 13-lap appetizer was won by Marquez whose task was aided by the fall of Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) on Lap 8. It was the defending champion's 24th sprint victory which makes him the most successful sprint-race contender to date. On top of that, the Spaniard demonstrated the performance and grip of Michelin's Power tires at this exacting venue by completing the distance six seconds faster than the same fixture in 2025.
After that, the weather deteriorated badly, leaving the organizers no choice but to scrap Sunday's program due to insufficient visibility for the medical helicopter.
To mark the last Australian Grand Prix to be held at Phillip Island, the MotoGP™ riders were nevertheless authorized to perform two parade laps before stopping on the start/finish straight to salute the disappointed spectators.
Marquez is now clear at the top of the provisional Riders' order, 10 and 50 points clear respectively of Aprilia Racing's Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
Next round: Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, Sepang (October 30-November 1).