Goodbye to the charm of Phillip Island, the 'American' MotoGP is aiming for Adelaide

Pre-qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix - dominated by Marco Bezzecchi's Aprilia - was briefly interrupted by a wallaby entering the track. It happens on Phillip Island, an island of volcanic origin and a wildlife paradise. Last year Raul Fernandez hit a seagull during the sprint. Unforeseen events that will not recur from next year, when the MotoGP will tour the streets of Adelaide.

The calendar is in fact about to say goodbye to one of the cathedrals of world motorsport, as well as one of the most spectacular and loved tracks by drivers and enthusiasts. Opened in 1956, it sits on a cliff overlooking Bass Strait.

For the former, its charm lies in a perfect mix of natural elements and adrenaline-pumping driving experience. For the seconds in the unique setting of these very fast curves that seem to plummet into the ocean. Motorcycling giants such as Gardner, Doohan, Rossi and Stoner won there.

Very romantic and exciting location, but very unfortunate from a logistical point of view, especially due to the heavy traffic problems, and not very profitable given the size of the stands. The failure to renew the contract - after the refusal of the state of Victoria to move the race to Melbourne - meant that Dorna-Liberty Media chose the Adelaide Street Circuit (with an agreement signed until 2032), home of the Australian F1 GP from 1985 to 1995. Following the model applied to four wheels, the US management of MotoGP aims to bring entertainment to the heart of the metropolis.

Adelaide, with the accommodation capacity of a large centre, will thus become the first city GP in the modern history of speed on two wheels, offering a modified 4.195 km layout to respect the strict safety standards required by motorbikes - starting with the wider escape routes - and an investment of approximately 96 million Australian dollars (60 million euros). However, the abandonment of Phillip Island was greeted with great disappointment by the majority of riders, both current and past.

Returning to today, the 46 points behind Jorge Martin, leader of the MotoGP world championship, did not dampen Bezzecchi's fighting spirit. The Rimini driver - on the podium in the last three GPs and dominating Sunday in Mandalika - achieved the best time in pre-qualifying with a time of 1'26"775.

Scrolling through the list of brands, the four Aprilias stand out in the top five positions, with Raul Fernandez second, ahead of Marc Marquez's Ducati, in turn followed by Ai Ogura and Martin. The gaps between the top 10, already promoted to Q2, are very narrow, contained at just 756 thousandths.