Aussie pride shines at Phillip Island as Senna Agius claims Moto2 victory, Joel Kelso scores podium and Miller battles misfortune.
It was a mixed but memorable weekend for Australian riders at Phillip Island for the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, with Senna Agius creating history, Joel Kelso continuing his strong Moto3 form, and Jack Miller showing promise before misfortune struck in the main MotoGP race.
Agius makes history
New South Wales rider Senna Agius became the first Australian ever to win at home in the intermediate class (250cc/Moto2), sealing a breakthrough victory that left him almost speechless.
“It means everything,” Agius said after the race. “Last year we set the benchmark here and my aim was a victory, and I can’t believe we got it done. It was a long race and a new experience, and I am just over the moon. I have no words! I am really proud of myself and the whole team.”
Kelso back on the podium
In Moto3, Joel Kelso added another second-place finish to his impressive season tally, having started from pole position in front of an ecstatic home crowd.
“I squeezed everything I could out of it,” Kelso said. “I tried to save the tyre but he is so good at it. I didn’t have a 35.9 in me but the best we could do today was second. It was so cool to see so many Aussie flags, people out there cheering me.”
Miller’s highs and lows
After finishing fourth in Saturday’s Sprint, Jack Miller’s hopes of a strong result in Sunday’s MotoGP were dashed when he crashed out mid-race. Despite the disappointment, the Queenslander was upbeat about his overall performance.
“Obviously it’s not how we wanted today to end,” Miller said. “It was a positive weekend all round and I felt decent at the start of the race, but maybe struggling a little bit more than I had done all weekend. I’m disappointed to let everybody down, but it was a strong weekend — we showed great pace — so I’ll take the positives and learn from the negatives.”
Between Agius’s landmark win, Kelso’s relentless form, and Miller’s flashes of front-running speed, Australian fans had plenty to cheer about — and even more to look forward to in 2026.
