Oz GP schedule change!
Due to an incoming weather front, the main MotoGP race at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will now be held on Saturday, not SundayIn what has been described as an “exceptional” turn of events, a forecast cold weather front has led to race organisers drastically altering the schedule for this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, with Saturday’s Sprint event and the Sunday’s main MotoGP race effectively swapping places.
The statement from organisers is as follows:
“Due to inclement weather forecast for Sunday, October 22, the schedule for the MotoGP Guru by Gryfyn Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has been updated. This decision has been taken proactively in order to guarantee the best and safest possible show for all competitors and fans attending the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this weekend.
“The MotoGP Grand Prix race will now take place on Saturday, October 21, at 15:10 local time (GMT +11).
“The Tissot Sprint is now scheduled to begin at 14:00 on Sunday the 22nd of October, weather permitting.”
The drastic measure was announced by Dorna and the FIM at a special press conference this afternoon (Friday, October 20), which can be viewed on the MotoGP website.
In a major blow for race organisers and fans, the virtually unprecedented last-minute reschedule and the forecast foul weather will invariably have a significant impact on crowd numbers for the event, although Sunday will still see the Moto2, Moto3, and MotoGP Sprint events play out.
As of 6:30pm on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Phillip Island states tomorrow (Saturday) will reach a top of 20 degrees with a shower or two, with a 50 per cent chance of at least 1mm of rain and a 25 per cent chance of at least 2mm. Winds will rise from 25 to 35km/h in the morning to 25 to 40km/h in the late afternoon.
However, conditions on Sunday are expected to deteriorate significantly. The temperature on Sunday is expected to reach 16 degrees, with a 75 per cent chance of at least 2mm of rain, a 50 per cent chance of at least 5mm of rain, and a 25 per cent chance of at least 10mm of rain. Winds are expected to reach 30 to 45km/h.
Phillip Island is notorious for its fickle and rapidly changing weather, with sudden changes regularly blowing in from Bass Strait.
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