Following an action-packed weekend at Motegi, the points gap has shrunk to just 10 as we head into the Australian Grand Prix. Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia delivered a double victory, while Jorge Martin absorbed the pressure to stay right on Bagnaia's tail in the standings. Their 1-2 finish also widened the gap to Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez.

For Bastianini and Marquez, the Australian Grand Prix could be their last chance to hypothetically remain in the title battle. The iconic circuit at Phillip Island will host its first Tissot Sprint after last year's schedule was changed due to bad weather. Neither Bagnaia nor Martin have won here, and while they might afford a small slip, they cannot afford to stumble. Marquez boasts the best record at this track among the contenders, with four wins and three podiums.

Riders will be aiming to put on a show. Home hero Jack Miller pushed hard at the front at Motegi before slipping back to a top-ten finish. His teammate, Brad Binder, will be looking to redeem himself after a missed opportunity in Japan. However, the rider most eager to bounce back is rookie Pedro Acosta, who took pole position at Motegi only to crash out in both the Sprint and the race. He’ll be out to prove himself in Australia.

Other riders to watch include Maverick Viñales, who has found magic at the Island before, and Fabio Quartararo, who could stand out on a track that contrasts sharply with Motegi. The Ducatis will play a key role here: Franco Morbidelli will want to stay ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Alex Marquez looks to recover after serving a Long Lap penalty at Motegi.

Joan Mir will be hoping for better results after his home race was cut short, while his teammate Luca Marini continues to quietly score points. Takaaki Nakagami also managed to finish in the points despite being taken out by his teammate Johann Zarco on Saturday. Zarco, meanwhile, will be defending his title from last year’s dramatic Phillip Island showdown, and he currently leads the inter-Honda battle by eight points.

Further down the field, riders like Alex Rins, Augusto Fernandez, and Raul Fernandez will be aiming to push forward and collect more points. Aleix Espargaro is ready for his final appearance at this legendary venue.

With just 10 points separating the top two riders and two others still in contention, Phillip Island is set to be a turning point in the season. The stage is set, and the drama is about to unfold. Buckle up for an exciting ride!