Marc Marquez says there’s one problem with Phillip Island even though it’s ‘one of the best’ tracks

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Marc Marquez says he would guarantee Phillip Island a place on the calendar if he could, but he does have concerns about the safety of the track.

The Victoria circuit will host its last MotoGP race this autumn before the Australian Grand Prix moves to Adelaide next year.

The decision has provoked a significant backlash among fans and insiders alike given the treasured status of the circuit. Pedro Acosta called Phillip Island ‘the best track’ in MotoGP and said a simple date change could solve the persistent weather issues.

Marc Marquez on Phillip Island: ‘We need to prioritise rider safety’

In an interview with MC News, Marquez agreed that Phillip Island was one of his ‘favourite’ venues. He has won there four times in the premier class, most recently in 2024.

But Marquez was concerned by the accidents at Assen, where his brother Alex and title rival Marco Bezzecchi escaped injury despite heavy impacts. Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer will miss the German GP this weekend after fracturing a vertebra in practice.

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He says Phillip Island is similar to Assen in its configuration, but lacks the space to make the necessary safety alterations.

“Yes [I would guarantee its place if I had the power],” he said. “Yes, it is true. But in the end, we need to prioritise rider safety. It is not unsafe as such, but it is a very fast track, and now we normally need some runoff areas with asphalt zones. They are limited in what they can do there.

“For example, we were in Assen last week, and it is exactly the same. It has some very fast corners with run-off areas full of gravel, and in the end, how many injuries did we have last weekend? Aldeguer, and my brother. Normally, in fast circuits, if you make a mistake, you are more likely to be injured.

• READ MORE: Casey Stoner shares whether he could still beat Marc Marquez at Phillip Island

“But Phillip Island is one of my best circuits, and one of my favourite tracks.”

Marquez was involved in a horror crash with Johann Zarco in 2018 when the Frenchman clipped the back of his Honda on the 300kph run to turn one. Cal Crutchlow had crashed at the same corner in practice, necessitating multiple surgeries and ending his season.

There was another pit-straight accident in 2024 involving Marco Bezzecchi and Maverick Vinales, though they were both passed fit to race in the Sprint a day later.