Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola admits he is caught in a dilemma after the main race of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island was forced to be cancelled due to poor weather. The cancellation was enforced by organizers because medical helicopters were unable to fly to evacuate injured riders to the nearest major referral hospital in Melbourne, ensuring safety remained the absolute priority.
This tricky situation has directly divided perspectives inside the Noale-based manufacturer's garage. On one hand, Jorge Martin's absence—following a broken arm sustained while fighting for the sprint win on Saturday—makes the cancellation a slight relief. The team's lead rider avoids seeing his Ducati rival, Marc Marquez, extend his crucial 10-point championship lead with only four grands prix remaining in the 2026 season.
However, Massimo Rivola acknowledges that this sentiment is not shared universally across the squad. Marco Bezzecchi, who currently sits third in the standings and trails the championship leader by 50 points, likely views the missed race as a squandered opportunity to close the gap.
"I don't know. I'm sure Marco is a little annoyed because he saw an opportunity," Massimo Rivola explained to the media at Phillip Island following the race cancellation. "But I think Jorge is happy. I feel sorry for the people who have been here all day, since very early in the morning. The last dance, let's say, the last race at Phillip Island deserved a better ending. But that's how things are."
Before the final call was made, riders completed two demo laps behind the safety car in front of thousands of fans who packed the circuit. Rivola understood that track conditions were far from optimal for racing at typical premier-class speeds. Despite his disappointment at missing out on competition at one of the most iconic tracks on the calendar, the Aprilia boss ultimately accepted the safety-driven outcome.
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