2025 Australian Grand Prix: Raul Fernandez in MotoGP paradise, Miller down

Aprilia had already demonstrated the RS-GP’s immense leap forward in development at the Indonesian Grand Prix. However, following an outstanding victory in the sprint race, favourite Bezzecchi took out the newly crowned 2025 World Champion Marc Marquez – and himself – from the competition.

Days later, on the equally flowing but even faster dream circuit at Phillip Island, the strength of the Noale-based project was demonstrated even more impressively. In Friday’s crucial qualifying session, which determines direct entry into Q2, two Aprilia riders – Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez – were at the top of the timesheets. Not to be forgotten: whilst the riders were battling it out in Australia, Marc Márquez was under constant medical observation back home in Spain.

KTM frontrunner Pedro Acosta was once again on form right from the start a year ago. Although he only just made it into Q2 on the Red Bull RC16 in qualifying, he went on to secure an impressive fifth on the grid on Sunday. Fabio Di Giannantonio, in neon yellow for VR46 Racing, was set to take on the role of the best Ducati rider, despite a modest tenth place on the grid.

Aussie Jack Miller «up and down»: P4 im Sprint, Crash im GP

Foto: Gold and Goose

In keeping with the home Grand Prix, Jack Miller provided drama on all fronts. It began with frustration in qualifying. Of all people, it was the Aussie who narrowly missed out on Q2. However, it became clear on Saturday that Miller was a force to be reckoned with. He subsequently managed to break into the top 12.

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Phillip Island: International Stream

MotoGP World Championship

22.10.2026 - 23:55

Less than half an hour later, the fans were absolutely ecstatic, as ‘Thriller Miller’ had secured third place on the front row for Pramac-Yamaha. Even better news for the Japanese manufacturer: Fabio Quartararo had clinched pole position with a classic ‘chaos lap’. In between was Marco Bezzecchi. Raul Fernandez was lying in wait in fourth place, ahead of Acosta and Alex Marquez. A sensational result from KTM’s perspective – stand-in rider Pol Espargaro started the Phillip Island races from eighth on the grid.

Beigeisterte als Ersatzmann: Pol Espargaro (KTM)

Foto: Gold and Goose

The sprint race on the other side of the world offered a taste of what was to come on Sunday – and for the rest of the 2025 MotoGP season. Two Aprilias led from Lap 1 right to the chequered flag. Fernandez initially set the pace, but Marco Bezzecchi consistently had more to offer. On lap 9, ‘Bez’ took the lead and pulled away by over three seconds. A consolation for Ducati: Pedro Acosta, riding in orange, secured the final podium place with a strong finish, whilst Bologna came away empty-handed. The fans had pinned all their hopes on Jack Miller. The veteran did not disappoint; finishing fourth, the Pramac rider was hailed as the true hero of the day. Pole-sitter Quartararo, by contrast, could not manage better than P7.

The 27-lap main event took place under unusual circumstances. Bezzecchi now had to serve a penalty in the form of a double long-lap for the ‘Marquez kick’ in Lombok. The Aprilia works rider rose to the challenge with flying colours, immediately taking the lead. After the first penalty lap, the Italian returned to the racing line in third place behind Fernández and Acosta. As early as lap 6, number 72 pulled off the track again and returned in sixth place.

Gewann 2025 den Sprint in Australien: Marco Bezzecchi

Foto: Gold and Goose

The remaining laps were enough for him to overtake Alex Márquez, Fabio Quartararo and Pedro Acosta once more and manoeuvre his way up to third place. At the finish, Bezzecchi was one second behind VR46 rider Di Giannantonio, who had made a successful return to speed for Ducati.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (2.) sprengte die Aprilia-Spitze

Foto: Gold and Goose

However, the most successful rider at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix was Raul Fernandez. After finishing second on Saturday, the Trackhouse rider seized the golden opportunity to secure his first GP victory in the premier class. Following a flawless performance, the American team’s celebrations knew no bounds.

Raul Fernandez schrie die Erleichterung heraus

Foto: Gold and Goose

Quite a few fans, on the other hand, trudged away with their heads hanging low. Jack Miller had crashed early on in the race. It could have been the perfect Australian Grand Prix: just an hour earlier, youngster Senna Agius had won the Moto2 race in commanding fashion.