Raul Fernandez Claims Shock Maiden Victory at Phillip Island
By Izhar Safuan
Phillip Island, Australia - The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit has a reputation for delivering drama, but Sunday's Australian MotoGP race provided a script few could have predicted, culminating in a tearful, fairytale victory for Raul Fernandez and the upstart Trackhouse Racing team.
The young Spaniard, who had never stood on a premier-class podium, executed a flawless performance to snatch his maiden MotoGP win, capitalizing on early race chaos and holding off a relentless charge from the pack.
Early Drama and the Seagull Sprint Winner's Setback
The 27-lap Grand Prix began with a rush of adrenaline. Sprint race winner Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) rocketed off the grid, immediately seizing the lead from pole-sitter Fabio Quartararo. However, the Italian had a dark cloud hanging over his head: a pre-race double long-lap penalty, a sanction for causing a collision in the previous Indonesian Grand Prix.
Bezzecchi pushed hard to build a buffer, but the gap wasn't enough. When he took his penalties, the lead was handed to the surprise beneficiary, Raul Fernandez on the Trackhouse Aprilia.
The Race of a Lifetime
For Fernandez, a rider whose career in the premier class has been a struggle of unfulfilled potential and injuries, the clear track ahead was both a gift and a terrifying test. He had the speed, but consistency had often been his undoing.
"I can't believe it. I'm sorry, but I can't believe it," a stunned Fernandez said later. "I think after a long time, we found something. All the team always believed in me, they never stopped supporting me."
Managing his rear tire and his own surging emotions, Fernandez built a dominant three-second lead. The pressure came late, as VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, charging from tenth on the grid, closed the gap dramatically in the final laps.
The race winner admitted the final laps were an ordeal. "The last five laps were super long for me," he recounted, also sharing a moment of panic: "I removed a tear-off and I couldn't grab the handlebar again! But it helped to me to focus."
The most touching revelation came as he crossed the finish line. "The more difficult thing was that I made all the last lap crying in the helmet, because I never thought it was the day to get a victory!"
Heartbreak for Locals and Champions
While Fernandez celebrated a personal milestone, the Australian fans endured disappointment. Local hero Jack Miller crashed out on Lap 5 while running in sixth place, ending his hope for a dream home victory.
The tough weekend for the factory Ducati team continued as two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia also crashed out with four laps to go, compounding a horror Sunday for the former champion.
A Hard-Fought Podium
Despite his heavy penalty, Marco Bezzecchi showcased incredible pace to fight back through the field and claim the final spot on the podium in third place, narrowly denying Alex Marquez. Di Giannantonio secured a brilliant second place, his second Australian GP podium in three years.
Raul Fernandez’s triumph marks a landmark day for the new Trackhouse Racing team, securing their first-ever MotoGP win and delivering Aprilia their 300th Grand Prix victory. It was a day of redemption, raw emotion, and a changing of the guard at the notoriously challenging Phillip Island circuit.