Race Recap: Zarco Triumphs as Martín Leads at Phillip Island
French rider Johann Zarco piloted the Ducati Desmosedici GP23 to a hard-fought victory in Australia’s Phillip Island clash. Teammate Jorge Martín, also aboard a GP23, faced a punishing race under the shadow of tire choices that tested the field to its limits.
Martin showed early speed, leading for most of the race until the opening lap when several riders surged past as they navigated rear-tire behavior. The podium was completed by Francesco Bagnaia on a GP23 and Fabio Di Giannantonio aboard a GP22, while Zarco kept surge after surge at bay to finish strong on the rostrum.
The session produced tension from the outset as Spanish rider Alex Rins was forced to withdraw in the buildup after sustaining a leg injury at Mugello. Rins underwent additional imaging, following guidance from the competition’s medical leadership, to ensure he could recover safely before racing resumes.
Early drama came from pole-sitter Jorge Martín, a rare breed of competitor alongside fellow Spaniards Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró, and Italian Marco Bezzecchi. Most of the field opted for soft rear tires, a surprising move given the race’s forecasts and its 27-lap length. The risk, many believed, was that softer compounds would degrade faster, altering strategy mid-race.
As soon as the lights turned green, Martín asserted control, defending against Brad Binder’s early challenge from the inside line and building a reassuring gap. Behind him, Binder, Bagnaia and Jack Miller from Australia battled for positions, with Márquez initially struggling but recovering to sixth by the end of the first lap. Espargaró also dropped back before mounting a late surge, while Aleix Espargaró moved forward aggressively, making a bold bid to overtake and setting up a late test against the leaders.
The pace quickened on the second and third laps as Martín pulled clear, with Binder close in second and a tight group chasing that included Bagnaia, Zarco, Márquez and other contenders. Espargaró, Alex Márquez and Bezzecchi pressed forward, hunting every opportunity to gain ground. Zarco pressed an early attack on Márquez, triggering a multi-lap duel that kept the pressure high and briefly allowed Bagnaia to slip into a firmer fourth. Martín gradually extended his lead while the chasing pack swirled behind him.
Strategic moves became the talk of the pit wall as the top three settled into a consistent rhythm. The group behind them—Bagnaia, Zarco, Márquez and a hard-charging Espargaró—saw exchanges of position that kept the race on edge. Joan Mir crashed at Turn Four while contesting a position, bringing the incident under review; the stewards deemed it a racing incident and it did not alter the overall result.
With eleven laps remaining, Martín appeared to have the advantage, building a buffer of more than three seconds. The question now focused on the durability of the soft rear tire as fatigue and track conditions tested the riders. Di Giannantonio had surged into the lead from the middle of the field earlier but began to struggle as Márquez and others closed in. By the time the checkered flag waved, Di Giannantonio had tumbled down the order, leaving the battle for the podium to a furious late-race surge from Zarco, Bagnaia and Binder.
As the laps dwindled, Zarco recovered from a late-side challenge and pursued Bagnaia and Di Giannantonio, while Binder pressed hard and briefly overtook at the final corner. Martín, having led earlier in the race, found himself re-fastened to the chase with a warning that tire performance could flip the result in the closing laps. The Renault of calculation and risk team dynamics played a decisive role as the riders crossed the finish with Martín holding a fragile advantage, Zarco and Bagnaia hot on his heels. The day concluded with Martín’s sustained pace earning him a late, hard-fought fifth-gear finish that sealed his place on the podium.
In the standings after the race, Bagnaia remains the points leader with a margin, while Martín moves closer in second. Bezzecchi sits third in the championship standings, keeping the title fight intense as the season rolls forward. The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island delivered a vivid snapshot of the season’s evolving dynamics and the grit required to persevere through tires, temperature, and tactical gambits. (citation: Official MotoGP race report, 2024 season)