Just a few days after a very successful Motul Grand Prix of Japan, Johann Zarco and Hafizh Syahrin are on their way to Australia for the 17thround of the 2018 MotoGP World Championship season, which will see the green flags waving for FP1 at 11.55 local time (2.55 CET) on Friday.

Following a strong race in Motegi, Monster Yamaha Tech3 star Zarco is more than eager to arrive at Phillip Island to repeat his amazing rookie performance from last year, fighting at the top of the premier class in order to bring home as many points as possible, challenging the independent riders’ championship.

Meanwhile, MotoGP class rookie Syahrin arrives at the Island full motivated after his second top 10 finish of the year. With an amazing performance at the Japanese GP in his pocket, the Malaysian newcomer aims for a similar great result, before his much anticipated home round.


Johann Zarco - Championship: 6th – Points: 133

“Phillip Island is an amazing track, pretty fast and with the MotoGP it feels like pure adrenaline on every lap. I had a fantastic race there last year and it would be nice to have a race in the front group again this time. I know, that my team likes this track a lot as well and this helps me to give me a strong bike. It’s a nice place to race, I hope we are going to have some good weather, because if it’s rainy and cold, the conditions are quite tricky, but when it’s sunny, it will be funny for sure.”

Hafizh Syahrin - Championship: 17th – Position: 34

“I’m looking forward to Phillip Island, because we’ve just done a very good race in Motegi and we are in great shape with the bike and had a decent rhythm. It’s not my best track, but I’ll try my best for sure. I aim to be in front of my rookie rivals in order to get closer in the points. But most of all, I hope to have good weather there.”

Hervé PONCHARAL - Team Manager

“We’ve just had time enough to pack everything at the circuit in Motegi, rush to Narita Tokyo airport and fly to the next round, which is in beautiful Phillip Island, Australia. Personally, myself and I think the whole Monster Yamaha Tech3 crew enjoy the three back-to-back races and it’s always a pleasure to fly to Phillip Island, which is such a beautiful place and has such a beautiful circuit. We can’t help thinking about the 2017 MotoGP race there when we arrive, because it was probably the best race of the last season and everybody is hoping the same thing will happen this year. Clearly, this is a circuit, which is always producing unbelievable racing. Johann was one of the masters last year in this race, one of the strongest riders. Unfortunately he lost the podium and a potential second position on the last straight like a few years ago – some of us might remember – was what happened to Nakano when he lost the 250cc World Championship title. Phillip Island is always a special place for this. We have to see what Hafizh, who just had an incredible strong and exciting race here in Japan, will do on the MotoGP bike there. I don’t think that it’s his favourite circuit, but anyway, we are already almost on the Island and we just can’t wait to start running there. The only thing, I would like to say is, that I hope for the whole paddock, for the spectators and people behind their TV that we’ll have a dry track and sunshine.”

Phillip Island, the self-styled home of Australian motorsport, is steeped in motor racing tradition, with the first car races having been held there on public roads in the 1920s. The first motorcycle races took place in 1931 and a permanent track was built in 1956. The circuit fell into disrepair during the late 70s and early 80s until it was bought in 1985 and given a AUS $5m facelift. MotoGP returned in 1989 and 1990 before becoming a regular fixture once more from 1997 onwards. The Phillip Island circuit is blessed with breathtaking scenery and beautiful ocean views and, as one of the fastest, most fluid, tracks on the calendar, it continues to provide some of the most spectacular racing in the MotoGP season.