the power shift at Phillip Island and the Ducati factor
There is a tight race at the world championship, with only a narrow gap between the top five riders. This weekend brings the Australian Grand Prix on Phillip Island, and the headlines focus on Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha YZR M1, who faces pressure as Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia from Ducati Desmosedici GP22 climbs in the standings.
They aren’t alone in the hunt. The championship table tightened after the chaotic Thai Grand Prix at Buriram. Alex Espargaro on the Aprilia RS-GP sits about 20 points behind the leaders, while Italy’s Enea Bastianini on the Ducati Desmosedici GP21 trails by 39, and Australian Jack Miller on the Ducati GP22 sits just one point further back.
Jack Miller has become the name many are backing for the season finale, even as Bagnaia enjoys a favorable position on home turf.
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the weight of the Ducati lineup
There is a strong pulse behind the Ducati squad, sometimes nicknamed the Ducati Armada, with as many as eight bikes in the field. Its breadth means it can pull off surprises at any track and at any moment.
The focus remains on Quartararo and Bagnaia, but Miller’s momentum after the last Grand Prix, along with his recent marriage and wide local support, keeps him in the title conversation.
After two years shaped by pandemic shutdowns that disrupted global sport, expectations are high. The best rider on the planet could lift the mood of the home crowd, especially after taking the most points in the recent rounds from Aragon to Thailand and Japan.
While Miller is a strong contender, Ducati’s full lineup, including the Spaniards, is ready to challenge on a fast, technical Phillip Island circuit. Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez arrives with a track record of success he loves, along with a potential supply of new parts aimed at keeping him in contention after a renewed push in 2023.
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Quartararo’s slight edge
The true championship leader and current titleholder, Fabio Quartararo, holds a slim advantage of a couple of points over Bagnaia. The Yamaha YZR M1 is capable of extracting strong performances, even as Phillip Island presents conditions that may not be ideal for the package it carries.
Ahead in the fight are also Aleix Espargaró on the Aprilia RS-GP, who has kept Ducati rivals on their toes, and Marc Márquez, who remains firmly in the championship picture. The challenge from others behind them, including Maverick Viñales on the Aprilia RS-GP, adds complexity to the final phase of the season as riders push for results at every turn.
Viñales previously won this stage in 2018 and helped end a Yamaha drought, showing he can stay close to the top when the Noale project evolves. His adaptation improves with time, adding another layer to the late-season race for the podium and the title.
Phillip Island’s tricky test for many
Experience is a prized asset at Phillip Island, a track not hosted on the calendar for a few seasons and where several riders have limited laps on the circuit. Early sessions bring South African Brad Binder on the KTM RC 16, Spain’s Alex Márquez on the Honda RC 213 V, and Portuguese Miguel Oliveira on the KTM RC 16 into the mix, with Quartararo himself having faced incidents on this track in the past.
Despite a season that hasn’t produced a clear runaway, notable names such as Remy Gardner for Australia and Joan Mir traveling to test his recovery progress from an ankle injury add to the narrative. The island location remains fond in memory for Mir, who won his first world title in Moto3 there in 2017, and for the home crowd eager for a memorable moment.
Teammate Alex Rins on the Suzuki GSX-RR remains a consideration as he aims to secure a victory for the Japanese brand while strengthening Honda’s position in the broader team battles. Other contenders to watch include France’s Johann Zarco and Spain’s Jorge Martín, both with Ducati Desmosedici GP22 capacity and the potential to move onto the podium as the season closes.
For Suzuki and other manufacturers, Phillip Island offers a final proving ground where a single strong result could alter the final standings and leave fans with lasting memories of an intense title fight.
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