01:29
Bezzecchi improves again, he's now 0.378s clear of Pedro Acosta.
Marco Bezzecchi, 2025 Australian MotoGP
2025 Australian MotoGP, Phillip Island: Sprint + reaction as it happened
Live updates from Saturday’s qualifying and Sprint race at the 2025 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.
MotoGP faces one of its most unpredictable weekends in recent seasons with newly crowned champion Marc Marquez - plus fellow former Phillip Island winners Jorge Martin and Maverick Vinales - all ruled out of action.
The trio formed the entire front row of last year’s Australian Grand Prix grid - when Marquez went on to win from Martin - but won’t take part this weekend due to injuries.
Factory Ducati star Marquez is absent for at least the next two rounds after undergoing surgery for ligament damage to his right collarbone, caused by contact from Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia.
Martin continues to be sidelined after undergoing surgery for a collarbone fracture sustained in a Turn 1 clash with Aprilia team-mate Bezzecchi at Motegi.
Tech3 KTM’s Vinales withdrew after qualifying at Mandalika due to ongoing issues with his healing shoulder.
With six Australian MotoGP wins between them - Marquez (4), Martin (1) and Vinales (1) - the only proven premier-class ‘Island winners in action this weekend are Alex Rins (2022) and Johann Zarco (2023).
Marquez is being replaced by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro, Martin by Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori and Vinales by KTM test rider Pol Espargaro.
A battered and bruised Bezzecchi is back for Phillip Island, and was fastest in Friday practice. However, he needs to serve a double long lap penalty on Sunday for causing the scary incident with Marquez.
Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez completed an RS-GP one-two on Friday, although VR46 Ducati’s Fabio di Giannantonio, in third, was tipped as perhaps having the best race pace.
Yamaha were also competitive, exceeding their expectations with both Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins in the top six, either side of Alex Marquez.
Francesco Bagnaia suffered persistent shaking problems with one of his GP25s, but was able to secure direct Qualifying 2 access with ninth on the other machine.
Saturday’s schedule:
10:10am (local) / 00:10am (UK) - MotoGP FP2
10:50am (local) / 00:50am (UK) - MotoGP Qualifying
3:00pm (local) / 5:00am (UK) - MotoGP Sprint
18 Oct 2025
01:28
Crash
Alex Marquez has his second accident of the session, this time a very fast lowside into Turn 1. That's his session over. He's currently in 4th.
01:28
Bezzecchi delivers! He blasts 0.3s clear of Pedro Acosta for pole position with 2mins to go. Miller still on the front row in 3rd.
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01:25
Jack Miller runs off on his out lap ahead of the final run, but rejoins without issue.
01:24
Investigation
The FIM Stewards are investigating the Bezzecchi-Marini-Bagnaia incident at Miller Corner.
01:23
Halfway through Qualifying 2, the pressure is on Bezzecchi:
- Jack Miller
- Fermin Aldeguer
- Pol Espargaro
- Raul Fernandez
- Luca Marini
- Fabio di Giannantonio
- Fabio Quartararo
- Alex Marquez
- Pedro Acosta
- Francesco Bagnaia
- Marco Bezzecchi
- Alex Rins
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01:22
Bezzecchi is waving his hands in anger after catching Bagnaia and Marini (correction) at the Miller Corner.
01:21
Miller is one of the few riders on the hard, rather than medium, front tyre.
01:20
Jack Miller snatches pole on his 3rd lap of the session, with stand-in star Pol Espargaro in 2nd!
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01:20
Crash
Alex Marquez sets the early qualifying pace, but then crashes at Miller Corner.
01:18
Meanwhile, Qualifying 2 is underway...
01:18
New Grand Prix start time
MotoGP has just announced that tomorrow's Australian MotoGP, and indeed all of the Sunday action, will start an hour later than planned to try and avoid the forecast high winds.
So it'll be a 3pm start for the Grand Prix (matching today's Sprint).
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01:15
Fist bumps for Jack Miller as he heads out at the start of Q2.
01:14
Marco Bezzecchi is the clear favourite heading into Qualifying 2, and badly needs pole to help overcome the double long lap penalty on Sunday.
01:09
The Qualifying 2 rider line-up:
- Marco Bezzecchi
- Raul Fernandez
- Fabio Di Giannantonio
- Fabio Quartararo
- Alex Marquez
- Alex Rins
- Luca Marini
- Pol Espargaro
- Francesco Bagnaia
- Pedro Acosta
- Fermin Aldeguer
- Jack Miller
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01:08
Aldeguer and Miller into Qualifying 2
Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer and Jack Miller hold the top two places and advance to the Qualifying 2 pole position shootout.
01:07
Binder under investigation again!
It's confirmed, Binder is now also under investigation by the FIM Stewards for holding up Zarco.
01:06
Binder could be in more trouble after holding up Johann Zarco.
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01:06
Investigation
The Binder-Savadori incident is under investigation, presumably to determine if Binder was going unusually slow.
01:05
Aldeguer, Miller and Binder are covered by just 0.038s as the last lap begins.
01:04
Binder and Miller are currently in a duel for 2nd place, with Aldeguer still in P1 despite a massive tank slapper out of the final corner.
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01:03
Jack Miller delights the home fans by snatching 2nd place, but can he hold it?
01:03
Crash
Aprilia replacement Lorenzo Savadori does a massive stoppie on his RS-GP as he narrowly avoids hitting the back of Brad Binder on his out lap for the final run, then crashes heavily.
Savadori walks away and the yellow flags are cleared. 3mins to go.
00:57
Halfway through Qualifying 1 and it's Fermin Aldeguer and Brad Binder holding the transfer places. Home hero Jack Miller is just outside in 3rd.
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00:52
Qualifying 1 begins. Only the fastest two riders will advance to Q2.
