Grand Prix Australia: Marco Bezzecchi storms to stunning Phillip Island Sprint Race win to defeat Raul Fernandez as Pedro Acosta pips Miller

MotoGP | Grand Prix Australia

Phillip Island Circuit | 18.10.2025

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05:55

BEZZECCHI SNATCHES SPRINT VICTORY DOWN UNDER

Marco Bezzecchi has charged to victory in the Phillip Island Sprint, with the Italian securing victory by an incredible 3.149s margin. However, it wasn’t smooth sailing, with Bezzecchi being pushed to the limit and overcoming an earlier encounter with wildlife!

Raul Fernandez was on the pace yet again, sealing another podium finish on Saturday, with a second-place finish after leading the early laps.

Pedro Acosta rounded out a hotly contested podium, beating Jack Miller, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez. The fight for third went down to the final corner to the delight of the home crowd.

It was the first-ever Sprint podium not to feature a Ducati, making it a historic day for the other manufacturers. Meanwhile, Pole starter, Fabio Quartararo dropped down to seventh at the flag as Bagnaia finished P19.

It was also a disappointing day for Fermin Aldeguer and Brad Binder, who crashed out in their own incidents and will head back to the drawing board for the 27-lap scrap on Sunday!

Don’t forget: TNT Sports brings you LIVE coverage of the Australian GP, WorldSBK finale and the BSB showdown all in one place this weekend!

'The favourite wins!' - Bezzecchi seals back-to-back Sprint victories with success on Phillip Island

Video credit: TNT Sports

05:45

'I HIT A BIG BIRD' – BEZZECCHI

There was drama even before the Sprint got going for Marco Bezzecchi, who talked through the dramatic moment where he hit a bird and how he managed to charge to victory in Australia!

He said: "It was pretty hard because at the beginning I hit a big bird, unfortunately for him, especially. But also, for me, as I got a scare, but luckily nothing was broken on the bike, and I am very sorry for this, of course.

"When we started the Sprint, I had a lot of fun as Raul was impressive at the beginning, he was super quick. I couldn’t catch him, and once I did, I made a mistake, so I had to put myself through some difficult laps again.

"But it was a fantastic job, I am very happy to win today. This is for my team, my guys and all my fans!"

Seagull drama as Bezzecchi strikes bird ahead of Sprint before managing to 'fly to victory'

Video credit: TNT Sports

05:40

'VERY RELAXED' – FERNANDEZ

Raul Fernandez crossed the line in second after an impressive ride from the Spaniard, who is continuing to show added confidence.

He said: "I was just very relaxed on the bike and just tried not to make any mistakes. I saw that Marco came with a strong pace and I tried my maximum. And when I saw that I wasn’t able to follow Marco, I just tried to survive because on this kind of track, you need to keep the rear tyre.

"But anyway, I’m really happy, thanks to my team and my family. I think this is very important to a lot of us, and let’s try to keep it this way, as also in Mandalika, we got some good results, so let’s try to enjoy the moment."

05:35

'THE TEAM ARE DOING A SUPER JOB' – ACOSTA

After another hard-fought battle for the podium, Pedro Acosta gave his thoughts following another intense Sprint at Phillip Island.

He said: "I’m super happy, this was not looking like our weekend, even after yesterday, and in FP2 things were not looking great, but thankfully we were able to qualify in a good position, and the race is just a fight.

"I think we are managing things quite well in this second part of the season, and the team are doing a super job, even in these tracks where we normally suffer.

"I just want to thank my team, and everyone who is supporting me, my family, my managers and everyone around me. And also, Dani and Pol, because it looks like we have the greatest test team in the world and MotoGP, so thanks to all of them and let’s try to improve a bit for tomorrow!"

13/13

BEZZECCHI WINS ON SATURDAY

Jack Miller is throwing everything at this podium on the final lap, searching for a move on the final lap. However, Pedro Acosta placed his KTM perfectly, with the Aussie left to attempt a last corner move.

Marco Bezzecchi is charging to the line, storming to victory on Saturday after fighting hard with Raul Fernandez, who takes second. Pedro Acosta is able to hold onto the final spot onboard the podium after Jack Miller’s attacks were unsuccessful…

12/13

THE PODIUM FIGHT

Fabio Di Giannantonio is now inside the mix, entering the fight for the final spot onboard the Sprint podium with Pedro Acosta. It’s another Ducati for Jack Miller to deal with as just one more lap remains for the Aussie to claim a home Saturday podium!

11/13

ALDEGUER CRASHES OUT

Your order at the moment is still Marco Bezzecchi as your leader with Raul Fernandez chasing behind, and now Pedro Acosta sitting comfortably in third. Jack Miller and Alex Marquez round out the top five, with polesitter Fabio Quartararo dropping down to seventh.

Further back, there is drama for Fermin Aldeguer, who, after winning at Mandalika, has now crashed out over at Turn 6.

10/13

BEZZECCHI LEADS!

Bezzecchi is continuing to look for a move, with the Italian looking all over the back of Raul Fernandez’s Aprilia. Bezzecchi set up a move on the exit of Turn 1, launching down the inside of Turn 2. Fernandez was unable to respond, watching in awe as the No. 72 attempts to put the hammer down on Lap 10!

8/13

BAGNAIA'S ISSUES GROW
Francesco Bagnaia is currently battling for last position with replacement/test rider Michele Pirro. It’s not the position Bagnaia would have been hoping for after such a strong performance at Motegi just a few rounds ago…

7/13

DRAMATIC START FOR BEZZECCHI

We’ve just had some replays of Bezzecchi’s dramas so far, including the warm-up lap where the No. 72 hit a bird when moving off the grid. Then, of course, the moment we’ve all just witnessed as the Italian runs wide. However, he is not going down without a fight, now setting the fastest lap!

6/13

BEZZECCHI RUNS WIDE

Alex Marquez once again was able to use the Ducati power to steal third position, passing the Yamaha rider before the braking zone at the first corner. Meanwhile, things began to heat up at the front as Marco Bezzecchi ran deep on the brakes at Lukey Heights, dropping over one second behind…

5/13

MILLER ENTERS THE PODIUM

Jack Miller is now beginning to look aggressive, searching for a move on Alex Marquez, who looks to be struggling in third position. The No. 73 had a moment on the front end on the exit of the final corner, allowing Miller to steal third – briefly. Alex Marquez attacked once again at Turn 1 – demoting the Aussie to Pedro Acosta’s grasp!

However, Miller had another plans, moving into the podium positions once again at the end of Lap 5!

3/13

FERNANDEZ PUSHES ON

Raul Fernandez has now clocked the fastest lap of the Sprint so far, looking to claim his first ever Sprint podium and what better place than Phillip Island. It’s some of the best conditions that riders have been able to enjoy all weekend, with blue skies and sunshine and, most importantly, not too much wind.

2/13

BINDER DOWN

Marco Bezzecchi made up an incredible amount of time in the opening part of the lap, undoing all of his work after running wide at Turn 4. Meanwhile, there’s drama further back, with Brad Binder hitting the deck – bringing out the yellow flags.

Pedro Acosta is now beginning to catch Jack Miller too, with the Aussie defending for fourth position on his second lap of action at Phillip Island…

1/13

LIGHTS OUT

We are GO! It’s an incredible launch from Jack Miller and Alex Marquez, with the pair going side by side into Turn 1. Alex Marquez hit the front briefly, with Raul Fernandez hitting the front on the opening sector. Marco Bezzecchi had another moment on the opening lap, avoiding contact with Alex Marquez and eventually passing the No. 73.

It’s a dream start from Raul Fernandez, who leads the way after the opening lap!

'Look at Alex Marquez!' - Crazy start to Sprint as Marquez jumps to front from second row

Video credit: TNT Sports

05:00

WARM UP LAP

All talking stops. It’s now time for the premier class stars to do battle on track and go head-to-head in the Sprint. Currently, the field are out on their warm-up lap as they make use of their final opportunity to get temperature in their brakes and tyres because there is still a slight wind gusting around the circuit!

04:55

FIVE MINUTES TO GO

We’re moments away from going racing at Phillip Island, with all preparation leading to this moment. Some important championship points are up for grabs as the track temperature sits at around 29°C.

Now, if you want to go and grab a coffee, it’s your final chance before an adrenaline-filled Sprint!

04:50

SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE CHANGE

Earlier today, a new schedule was announced for race day, with Sunday’s schedule being pushed back by one hour. Now with the updated schedule, Sunday’s times look like:

MotoGP Warm Up: 00:40
Moto3: 02:00
Moto2: 03:15
MotoGP: 05:00

04:45

THE GRID

It’s a big day today, with Ducati’s 98-GP front row streak coming to an end as Fabio Quartararo launches from pole position. Check out the front four rows of the grid ahead of the Sprint!

1. Fabio Quartararo (Pole)

2. Marco Bezzecchi

3. Jack Miller

4. Raul Fernandez

5. Pedro Acosta

6. Alex Marquez

7. Fermin Aldeguer

8. Pol Espargaro

9. Luca Marini

10. Fabio Di Giannantonio

11. Francesco Bagnaia

12. Alex Rins

04:40

HODGSON COLUMN

Before the action gets underway in Australia, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out Neil Hodgson’s latest column! This week, the 2003 WorldSBK champion looks at the headlines you need to keep an eye on over the final four rounds of the season.

Check out the full column below!

Grand Prix Australia

Why there is 'fight to the death' in remainder of MotoGP season - Hodgson column

16/01/2026 at 14:04