Casey Stoner calls into question MotoGP’s move to Adelaide

Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has been left shocked by the decision to replace Phillip Island with a street circuit in Adelaide. 

After it became apparent this week that Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit, the same venue used by Formula 1, would not be replacing Phillip Island on the MotoGP calendar going forward, the expectation was that MotoGP could remain at the legendary Phillip Island track.

However, just one day later (Thursday, 19 February), those assumptions were quashed entirely when MotoGP confirmed a new purpose-built street circuit in Adelaide.

Naturally, it’s a topic that was going to get some of the sport's biggest icons talking, and that’s exactly what has happened. 

The MotoGP Adelaide Street Circuit will begin hosting the world championship as early as 2027, with this year marking the final year of Phillip Island’s current agreement with the series.

But the decision has not gone down well with some, including Stoner, who achieved incredible amounts of success at Phillip Island. From 2007 - the same year that saw him win the first of his two MotoGP titles - to 2012, Stoner won every premier class race at the Australian circuit. 

Speaking on his Instagram account, Stoner said this: 

“MotoGP to take Phillip Island off the calendar!!! One of the greatest Motorcycle circuits in the entire world that has produced some of the greatest and most entertaining races we have witnessed, and continues to do so year after year, is being pushed to the side in place of a race in Adelaide and supposedly a street circuit… Why would MotoGP take possibly their best circuit off the calendar… I’ll let everyone decide.”

Phillip Island is not only one of the most flowing and breathtakingly fast circuits in the world, but it’s also been home to some of the best MotoGP races ever. So it’s hard not to feel the same way as Stoner does.

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