Six things you need to know ahead of Phillip Island MotoGP

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is back at Phillip Island and anticipation among motorcyclists around the country is at fever pitch. Whether you're heading down to the Island, or just planning on parking in front of the telly, here are six things you need to know ahead of the weekend.

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The MotoGP World Championship will return to the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the first time since 2019. The 2020 race was cancelled in May of that year while Melbourne languished in lockdown. Hopes were high for a 2021 return, but that event too was cancelled. With Australia now largely free of COVID-19 restrictions, the 2022 event looks to be a certainty (well, as long as the weather doesn’t wreak havoc – read below). Crowds flocked to Albert Park in April for the return of F1 to our shores, so expect an enthusiastic crowd at the Island.

If you’re hoping to snag a camping spot with just days to go, then forget about it. It’s all sold out. But camping spots were limited this year anyway, after unprecedented rainfall left sections of the campground too sodden to use. Organisers last month scrapped camping in the Highside areas, sending thousands of ticket-holders into meltdown as they scrambled to find alternative accommodation. Some of the campgrounds are still usable, and there appears to be no effects on the track and venue itself, but that could all change later this week…

At this stage, Sunday is looking pretty good with a high of 16 and a possible shower or two. But it’s what’s forecast in the preceding days that could be an issue. Victoria is bracing for severe weather over the coming days, with flood warnings across the state. The bulk of the rain is expected to hit on Thursday with up to 50mm set to hammer the state. While Phillip Island should miss the absolute worst of it, Victoria Police is warning motorcyclists riding to the Island to be on high alert. Given the rain-induced drama seen at Bathurst last weekend, MotoGP organisers will be praying that event can proceed without too many issues.

The rain is set to wreak havoc on parking, with organisers encouraging punters to use the new Catch-a-Coach bus service to avoid any trouble. With the potential for the usual carparks to become battlefields of bogged cars and bikes, the organisers are also finalising plans for alternative parking areas and shuttle buses. Head to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix website for more information.

The Townsville product has found some good form in the past few months, with 1 win and four podiums from the last eight races. The irony is that Miller will be departing Ducati at the end of the season, with a seat at KTM awaiting him in 2023. Miller’s Ducati career has not been stellar, but his late form means he could become the first Aussie MotoGP rider to win at the Island since Casey Stoner in 2012, and maybe even steal a championship in the final two races of the year…

The World Championship race is tight. With just two races remaining after Phillip Island, the Australian Grand Prix will be a pivotal point in the 2022 series. Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) leads by just 2 points over Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati). Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) is another 18 points behind, and Enea Bastianini (Ducati) is 19 points behind that. Then there is our own Miller, who is one point behind Bastianini and 40 points behind Quartararo on 179 points. A lot would need to go right for Miller to win the championship, but a win in his home race would be the first step. Here’s hoping.