Should we move the 2025 Australian MotoGP to Saturday? Riders are set to discuss this in the Safety Commission. A controversial idea that might just shake things up!
The MotoGP community is buzzing with the possibility of a schedule change for the 2025 race. With past experiences and weather forecasts in mind, the question arises: could we witness a Saturday afternoon race for the second time in three years?
In 2023, a bold decision was made to swap the Sprint-Grand Prix order due to extreme weather predictions for Sunday. The forecast warned of powerful wind gusts reaching up to 80 km/h, accompanied by a high chance of rain and cold temperatures. This move proved successful, as the grand prix ran smoothly on Saturday, while the delayed Sunday Sprint had to be abandoned due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
Fast forward to 2025, and the weather forecast for Sunday is not as dire, but high winds of 40-55 km/h are still expected. This has sparked a discussion among riders and officials, with Alex Rins sharing his thoughts: "What is the limit? It depends on various factors, including the wind direction." He added, "We'll be discussing this in the Safety Commission on Friday."
Rins also mentioned the 2023 race, where the main event took place on Saturday due to similar weather concerns, and the Sunday race was canceled. The MotoGP rules provide riders with an option to remove their wings at Phillip Island if they feel it could mitigate the impact of dangerous crosswinds.
However, Rins shared his concerns, stating, "I've consulted with my team, and removing the wings might do more harm than good."
This brings us to the heart of the matter: Should we prioritize rider safety and move the race to Saturday, or trust in the resilience of the riders and their equipment to tackle the challenging conditions on Sunday?
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about the race; it's about the experience and the show. Moving the race to Saturday might impact the overall atmosphere and fan engagement. But here's where it gets controversial: Is the potential risk to rider safety worth the traditional Sunday race experience?
What do you think? Should we stick to the original schedule or embrace a Saturday race? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments!
