Jorge Martin Leads MotoGP Championship as Phillip Island Tests New Asphalt

As the 2024 MotoGP World Championship shifts gears to its final triple-header, Jorge Martin holds a narrow 10-point advantage over Francesco Bagnaia. The competition reaches the iconic Phillip Island circuit in Australia, a place known for spectators and racers alike for its high-octane battles and fluctuating weather conditions.

The 2024 season presents a unique challenge as the race takes place on newly resurfaced Phillip Island asphalt. On the last resurfacing in 2013, the circuit was notorious for causing overheating issues with Bridgestone tires, necessitating a reduction in race length and mandatory pit stops. Similarly, the WorldSBK Championship faced hurdles earlier this year due to similar tire heating issues. Consequently, this weekend’s focus will be on Michelin‘s selection of tire compounds for the event.

This year’s lineup also features MotoGP’s inaugural Sprint race at Phillip Island, which was substituted by the full grand prix last year due to storm warnings. Last season, Martin was on the verge of victory until a tire strategy misstep allowed his teammate Johann Zarco to secure his first MotoGP win. The race weekend’s schedule commences with FP1 at 10:45 am local time and Practice at 3:00 pm.

On the initial day of action, Marc Marquez led the session with a lap of 1:27.770, while Martin and Bagnaia followed in third and fourth positions, respectively. Enea Bastianini missed out on Q2 placement, landing in 16th. Pedro Acosta faced a mishap at Turn 4, slipping on the grass, and therefore, is also out of Q2.

Amidst the unpredictable weather, the gravel traps saw increased activity as several riders, including Lorenzo Savadori and Jack Miller, faced crashes that led to deviations from the track. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio showcased a strong performance by finishing third during the session.

Attention remains sharply focused on the championship contenders, with Bagnaia required to push further from his current ranking to close the gap with Martin. As the weekend unfolds, the new surface and variable weather will continue to play pivotal roles in the riders’ strategies and performances.