News Summary
- Kevin Schwantz says never finishing a Grand Prix at Phillip Island remains his major career regret, despite winning the 1993 500cc world title.
- The American crashed out of both his appearances at the circuit, in 1989 and 1990, while Wayne Gardner went on to win both races.
- Schwantz will return for Phillip Island’s final MotoGP weekend, joining Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan and Gardner in the farewell celebrations.
Kevin Schwantz has revealed that failing to finish either of his two Australian Grands Prix at Phillip Island remains one of the biggest regrets of his motorcycle racing career, as the 1993 500cc world champion prepares to return to the circuit for its final MotoGP appearance on October 23–25.
The American competed at Phillip Island in 1989 and 1990, starting from pole position on the first occasion, but crashed out of both races. His former rival Wayne Gardner went on to win each event, leaving Schwantz without a classified finish at a circuit he still regards as one of the finest in motorcycle racing.
Speaking on the Racing Back podcast, Schwantz acknowledged that the memories would make his return particularly emotional.
“If I have any regrets, it’s the fact that I raced at Phillip Island twice and on both race weekends, I didn’t finish a complete Grand Prix,” he said.
Schwantz will participate in the farewell celebrations alongside three Australian world champions — Gardner, Mick Doohan and Casey Stoner — before MotoGP moves the Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide in 2027.
Schwantz remembers 1989 crash after Phillip Island pole
The first Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island took place in 1989, when Schwantz was already one of the fastest riders in the 500cc world championship.
The Suzuki rider secured pole position and entered the race as a serious contender for victory. However, he lost the lead to Wayne Rainey and subsequently crashed at Lukey Heights, one of the circuit’s most demanding corners.
Schwantz later attributed the mistake to pushing too aggressively before his Michelin tyres had reached their ideal operating condition.
His retirement left Gardner and Rainey to contest the victory, with the Australian eventually winning by just 0.350 seconds in front of his home crowd. Christian Sarron completed the podium, only 0.470 seconds behind Gardner.
The race became one of the defining moments of Phillip Island’s early Grand Prix history, but Schwantz’s own participation ended prematurely.
Gardner denies Schwantz another chance in 1990
Schwantz returned to Phillip Island in 1990 determined to make up for the previous year’s disappointment.
Once again, he found himself fighting near the front as Gardner challenged for another home victory, this time against Honda teammate Mick Doohan.
The American remained in contention until the final lap, when he crashed at the first corner while attempting to maintain the pace of the leaders.
Schwantz recalled being determined not to watch Gardner win the race for a second consecutive year, but his aggressive approach ended his own challenge.
Gardner eventually defeated Doohan by 0.856 seconds, completing back-to-back Australian Grand Prix victories at Phillip Island.
The result left Schwantz with two starts and two retirements at the circuit.
He subsequently won the Australian Grand Prix in 1993, but that race took place at Eastern Creek rather than Phillip Island.
The distinction matters because Schwantz did achieve success in Australia during his world championship-winning season. His regret concerns specifically his failure to complete a race at Phillip Island.
Schwantz returns alongside Stoner, Doohan and Gardner
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix will provide Schwantz with another opportunity to experience the circuit, although this time as part of the farewell celebrations rather than a championship contender.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported on Sunday, Stoner, Doohan and Gardner will ride together during a ceremonial Legends Lap before the final race.
The three Australians have won eight world championships in the premier class, while Schwantz adds another title and one of the sport’s most recognisable personalities to the event.
Stoner’s relationship with Phillip Island is particularly significant. The two-time MotoGP world champion won six consecutive Australian Grands Prix between 2007 and 2012, a record that includes his championship-clinching victory in 2011.
Gardner, meanwhile, won the circuit’s first two motorcycle Grands Prix in 1989 and 1990, while Doohan triumphed at his home race in 1998.
Schwantz’s presence provides a different perspective on that history: a world champion whose memories of Phillip Island are dominated by two opportunities that ended in crashes.
The American has acknowledged that returning will be difficult because of those experiences, while continuing to praise the circuit itself.
MotoGP prepares to leave Phillip Island after 2026
Phillip Island will host its final Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday, October 25, before the event relocates to Adelaide next season.
The move has attracted criticism from riders and fans who regard Phillip Island’s fast, flowing layout as one of the championship’s most distinctive venues.
The Victorian Government has since confirmed a five-year agreement to bring Supercars back to the circuit from 2027.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported following the announcement, the agreement will revive the Phillip Island 500 and establish a Supercars Finals Series event through 2031.
The Australian MotoGP weekend runs from October 23–25, with practice on Friday, qualifying and the sprint on Saturday, and the main Grand Prix on Sunday.
Jorge Martín arrives leading Marc Márquez by just two points in the championship, while Marco Bezzecchi remains third, 46 points behind the Aprilia rider.
The full weekend programme and the championship’s return to Australia are detailed in GRANDE PRÊMIO’s Phillip Island race guide.
