Australian MotoGP qualifying rescheduled

QUALIFYING for the Generac Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island has been postponed due to weather conditions.

High winds have battered the gold coast circuit all through free practice, with only 12 riders taking to the track in FP3.

The session was also put on hold briefly due to home rider Jack Millers pit board blowing onto the track.

FP4 was moved back until 2.45pm local time and after only a few minutes into the session, a gust of wind blew Tech 3 KTM rider Miguel Oliviera of his machine into the fast turn one.

According to Tech3 team boss Herve Poncharal, Oliveira went down at 300km/h, and had to be taken to the medical centre for checks – though miraculously escaped injury.

The session was stopped with 12m53s remaining on the clock, with an emergency safety commission meeting called.

Loris Capirossi, Race Direction Dorna Representative explained the decision, “The riders say the conditions are not safe enough so we have to make the tough decision to cancel the remaining track sessions until further notice.”

It was unanimously decided to cancel the session due to dangerous track conditions.

Later in the day, the safety commission announced that qualifying will now take place tomorrow morning with Q1 taking place at 10:20am local time and Q2 at 10:45am.

These sessions will then determine the grid positions for the race to be held 3pm.

Moto3 will be pushed back to 12:00pm, with Moto2 at 1:20pm.

If qualifying cannot go ahead for any reason, the grid will be determined by combined times from Friday and Saturday practises which will mean Monster Energy Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales will start on pole followed by Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso and Honda’s Cal Crutchlow.