2017

Get Down to the Island for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

The 2017 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is an iconic weekend for all motorcyclists throughout the nation, and it’s about to kick into overdrive. From October 20-22, the world’s elite will battle it out in MotoGP, Australian’s Jack Miller, Remy Gardner, Broc Parkes and Tom Toparis representing their country and the Australian Superbike and Supersport 300 support races, it’s going to be a jam-packed weekend.

Australians Riders on the World Stage
With Australian ace, Jack Miller having already confirmed his return after fracturing his leg in a training accident, the crowd will be thrilled to welcome him back. Miller has experienced an up and down season with two sixth placings and plenty of points finishes. With a new contract with Pramac Ducati for next year, it marks an interesting time for the Australian as he is set to embark on a new chapter in his MotoGP racing career. Hopefully, the rider from Townsville, QLD can give the crowd a ride to remember.

Tom Toparis will be riding as a Moto3 Wild Card after making his debut in the World Championship at Japan at the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit. It was a gutsy performance from the Goulburn teenager, with the weekend being drenched with rain. Toparis would manage to finish in 24th position and will take the experience to Phillip Island with the Cube Racing Team. Having raced there in the past, Phillip Island should be a much more comfortable track for Toparis and hopefully he can build on his debut performance.

Son of a gun, Remy Gardner has been gathering strong momentum in recent races, with a very solid twelfth place at the Japanese Grand Prix within the Moto2 class. Remy showed steady pace throughout the race and a superb pass on Marcel Schrotter on the final lap ensured 12th at the flag, meaning 4 more points and a confidence inspiring result ahead of his home GP at Phillip Island this weekend. The result marked his sixth points scoring position of the year.

In an exciting announcement, Australian Broc Parkes will stand in for Jonas Folger in the Tech3 Yamaha team. 35-year-old Parkes is part of Yamaha’s endurance racing team and last rode in MotoGP for the Valencian Grand Prix back in 2015. With plenty of experience and a competitive bike, Parkes will be one to keep an eye on.

MotoGP Championship Down to the Wire
This year’s MotoGP season has been a classic for the ages, with Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, engaged in a battle for the championship. Only a slender 11 points separate the two heading into the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Marquez and Dovizioso are polar opposites when it comes to tactics, with Marquez displaying an aggressive riding style to win at all costs and Dovizioso a more calculating tactician. The two staged one of the greatest MotoGP duels in recent years, back at the Japanese Grand Prix, and it was Dovizioso to come out on top after an incredible last corner battle. It could all come to a head at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.

Joshua Waters first appearance after Australian Superbike Championship win
If you attend the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, you will have to check out the Australian Phillip Island Superbike Championship and Supersport 300 classes. The Phillip Island Championship was created to showcase Australian talent on the world stage by merging with existing international events as support categories.

Team Suzuki ECSTAR’s Josh Waters recently put on a stunning performance to walk away with the 2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) after two gruelling races at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

After taking the prestigious title at the final round of ASBK, the 2017 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will mark his first outing since being crowned. Mounting his Suzuki GSX-R1000R, Waters will look to stamp his supremacy over the field at challenge for the Phillip Island Championship.

As it currently stands, Daniel Falzon (JD Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1) leads the Phillip Island Championship ahead of Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1) and Waters.

The Supersport 300 class will make its debut this weekend at the Grand Prix, alongside the Superbikes and has been an enormous success story in 2017. The class has been nearly oversubscribed in virtually every round of ASBK.