Marco Bezzecchi
The Adelaide street circuit will not join the MotoGP calendar until the 2027 season, yet Marc Marquez is already being tipped as the favourite.
The track will replace Phillip Island as the host of the Australian Grand Prix from next season. Dorna, now MotoGP Sports Entertainment, had been pushing to move the race to a new venue, having openly explored the prospect of street circuits under Liberty Media’s ownership.
Is MotoGP selling its soul by leaving Phillip Island?
The Bend was considered an option for the race, but MotoGP will instead move to an all-new street track in Adelaide. Given how popular Phillip Island is to riders, fans and the local government, the decision has not been received well.
MotoGP fans think leaving Phillip Island is a ‘horrible mistake’, given the moments that the track has given them over the years and how unsafe a street circuit will be for riders. It is the latter of those points that Johann Zarco discussed via The Race.
Johann Zarco believes Marc Marquez will win on a slow street circuit amid Adelaide talk
Multiple riders have expressed sadness over Phillip Island dropping off the calendar, with many seeing it as their favourite circuit. Former MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira highlighted the ‘crazy’ risks of riding on a street circuit in 2027.
But LCR rider Zarco does not think it will truly be a ‘street’ circuit, given the safety measures that need to be in place. However, the Frenchman warned that that would include making corners slower, which would favour Marc Marquez and make him the favourite to win.
“Phillip Island was unique,” he said. “I have seen the post of Casey Stoner, and I like the way he’s telling the things.
“It will never be [truly] ‘street’ because we need space for safety, that you cannot really imagine to do it on streets. I guess to be able to have the safety in a place where we can see everything, we have to reduce the speed of the track, of the corners.
“And this for a rider is not what is the most fun. Because Hungary is like this, and it’s still Marc [Marquez] winning, that is not fun for the others!”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Johann Zarco from career stats to net worth
Some MotoGP key figures are actually supportive of the Adelaide street circuit
MotoGP moving to Adelaide is utterly stupid for rider safety. Racing on a track that has limited run-off space and hard barriers is a backward step for the sport and the measures they have taken in recent years.
Yet, despite the obvious safety hazards, several key figures are actually in support of the street circuit. Jack Miller thinks Adelaide is ‘amazing news’ for MotoGP as it can bring an international audience to the city.
Would you boycott the 2027 Australian Grand Prix after MotoGP confirmed it will be a street race in Adelaide?
Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro has ‘full trust’ in MotoGP and the Adelaide circuit. He is excited about the new era of the sport, labelling Phillip Island as too dangerous.
Whether the Adelaide race will be a success is to be seen. But the move has been widely criticised by many within the sport, and looking at the safety risks, it is not hard to see why.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
