On revenge course in Down Under
From the 20th - 22nd of October, an annual highlight awaits: the Australian Grand Prix on Phillip Island. For the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team, it's all about revenge for the Moto3 duo Ayumu Sasaki and Collin Veijer, while the Moto2 team is aiming for a better starting position for this tradition-steeped race weekend with a targeted approach.
Phillip Island is not only known as the Island of the Penguins but also as the Mecca of Australian motorsport. The 4.45 km long and picturesque track is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape that offers views of the Pacific Ocean. As one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, it provides some of the most spectacular duels each year.
Accordingly, anticipation is high among riders and fans alike when the battles for positions begin on Friday with the first practice sessions. Ayumu Sasaki will be the first to work hard to make up for his faux pas in Indonesia. He is exactly 16 points behind world championship leader Jaume Masia ahead of this 16th Grand Prix weekend of 2023. The chances of fighting back are good, because last year the Japanese rider, who is fighting for the World Championship, finished fourth. For his part, the 18-year-old rookie, Collin Veijer, will try to finally master the step onto the podium in his first visit to Phillip Island, having missed it by a hair's breadth in the second half of the season so far.
For Lukas Tulovic and Darryn Binder, as well as their crews, the focus in Moto2 will be on working on a solid setup ahead of Saturday's qualifying session for a solid starting position for Sunday's race. The South African scored points most recently at the Mandalika Street Circuit on the Indonesian island of Lombok, but expectations are high for the 25-year-old after he recorded a top 10 result in Down Under in MotoGP in 2022. Lukas Tulovic, who had to grit his teeth during his injury comeback last week, hopes that the few days between the two Grand Prix will still give him enough time to return to his old fitness.
To be able to follow the legendary Australian Grand Prix live, German-speaking fans watching from Europe are advised either to go to bed early or to brew enough coffee so as not to miss the Moto3 race starting at 02:00 in the morning, followed by the Moto2 at 03:15 (CEST).
Schedule (CEST)
Friday, 20th of October
00:00 – 00:35 Moto3 Practice 1
00:50 – 01:30 Moto2 Practice 1
01:45 – 02:30 MotoGP Practice 1
04:15 – 04:50 Moto3 Practice 2
05:05 – 05:45 Moto2 Practice 2
06:00 – 07:20 MotoGP Practice
Saturday, 21st of October
23:40 – 00:10 Moto3 Practice 3
00:25 – 00:55 Moto2 Practice 3
01:10 – 01:40 MotoGP Free Practice 2
01:50 – 02:05 MotoGP Qualifying 1
02:15 – 02:30 MotoGP Qualifying 2
03:50 – 04:05 Moto3 Qualifying 1
04:15 – 04:30 Moto3 Qualifying 2
04:45 – 05:00 Moto2 Qualifying 1
05:10 – 05:25 Moto2 Qualifying 2
06:00 MotoGP-Sprint (13 Laps)
Sunday, 22nd of October
00:40 – 00:50 MotoGP Warm-Up
02:00 Moto3-Race (21 Laps)
03:15 Moto2-Race (23 Laps)
05:00 MotoGP-Race (27 Laps)