VOLUME ISSUE OCTOBER , P67
BY NEIL MORRISON
PHOTOGRAPHY GOLD & GOOSE
T
he 35th running of the Australian Grand
Prix was always going to be wide open.
Recently crowned champ Marc Marquez
(Lenovo Ducati) was absent due to injury, and
circuit specialist Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia
Racing) carried a double long-lap penalty into
Sunday's race for taking the Spaniard out in In
-
donesia. Several names sensed an opportunity.
Despite Aprilia's RS-GP enjoying a clear
edge on its rivals here, few gave Raul Fernan-
dez (Trackhouse Aprilia) a chance. The rider
who won a record eight races in his rookie
Moto2 campaign in 2021 had largely flattered
to deceive in the four premier class years
since, first with KTM and then Aprilia.
Yet there could be no arguing the 24-year-
old looked the part in Australia. Knowing Bez
-
zecchi's penalties were to come, Fernandez
dealt with the expectations of being among
the favorites admirably. And unlike Indonesia
last time out, his race-craft couldn't be faulted.
His win was the first time since 2020 that
MotoGP witnessed two first-time winners in
back-to-back races. In Marquez's absence,
MotoGP's random streak continues.
For the second race
in a row, MotoGP
has a new winner
in Spaniard Raul
Fernandez, who finally
capitalized on the
promise that's been
long overdue.
FERNANDEZ
