Aprilia's "happy, sorry" emotions at Phillip Island MotoGP cancellation

Aprilia’s MotoGP team lived a mix of frustration and relief after Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was cancelled due to poor visibility and an inability to operate the medical helicopter. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said the mood was “happy, sorry”: Marco Bezzecchi felt he’d missed an opportunity after topping Friday practice and finishing fourth in Saturday’s Sprint, while injured title contender Jorge Martin benefited because the washout prevented further championship damage. Rivola also said he was personally saddened by the end of Phillip Island’s era, noting his family traveled for the final visit. He explained that Sunday’s visibility issues, not just weather forecasts, ultimately forced the cancellation, and raised questions about why the race wasn’t swapped with Saturday’s Sprint as had happened in the 2023 rain-affected weekend. Rivola added Aprilia didn’t “maximise at all” in Indonesia and Australia.