Stoner, Doohan and Gardner reunite for historic final MotoGP lap at Phillip Island

News Summary

• Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner will ride together at Phillip Island before the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on October 25.
• The three champions have won eight premier-class world titles and nine Grands Prix at Phillip Island.
• Kevin Schwantz will also participate in the farewell celebrations, as MotoGP prepares to move the Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide in 2027.

Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner will reunite for a historic ceremonial lap at Phillip Island on Sunday, October 25, as MotoGP prepares to say goodbye to one of its most celebrated circuits before moving the Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide in 2027.

The three Australian world champions will ride together at Phillip Island for the first time in the circuit’s history, taking part in a special Legends Lap ahead of the final MotoGP Grand Prix at the venue. The event will also feature 1993 world champion Kevin Schwantz, adding another iconic name to the celebrations.

According to Australian newspaper Herald Sun, the tribute has been organised to recognise the riders who helped establish Phillip Island as one of the most important venues in motorcycle Grand Prix racing.

Together, Gardner, Doohan and Stoner won eight premier-class world championships and nine Australian Grands Prix at Phillip Island, creating a legacy that spans three decades of the sport.

The ceremony will take place before Sunday’s race, although the precise starting time of the Legends Lap has not yet been confirmed.

Stoner returns to the circuit where he dominated MotoGP

Few riders have been more closely associated with Phillip Island than Casey Stoner, who won six consecutive Australian Grands Prix between 2007 and 2012.

The two-time world champion established an extraordinary record at his home circuit, combining his aggressive riding style with exceptional speed through Phillip Island’s fast, flowing corners.

His most memorable victory came in 2011, when he won the Australian Grand Prix on his 26th birthday and simultaneously secured his second MotoGP world championship.

The achievement remains one of the defining moments of his career, and MotoGP recently revisited the occasion in an official retrospective celebrating Stoner’s home victory and championship.

Stoner’s return is particularly significant because he has been among the most outspoken critics of the decision to remove Phillip Island from the calendar.

The Australian previously questioned whether the championship should abandon a circuit that has consistently produced some of its most spectacular racing, expressing concern about replacing it with a new urban venue.

Despite his opposition to the move, Stoner will now participate in the celebrations marking the end of the circuit’s current MotoGP era.

Doohan and Gardner complete historic Australian reunion

Mick Doohan won five consecutive 500cc world championships between 1994 and 1998, establishing himself as one of Honda’s greatest riders.

His relationship with Phillip Island includes victory at the 1998 Australian Grand Prix, when he defeated Max Biaggi and Alex Crivillé in front of his home crowd.

Doohan’s championship-winning Honda from that season will also be displayed during the farewell weekend, providing another connection between the circuit’s history and the riders taking part in the ceremony.

Wayne Gardner, meanwhile, played a central role in bringing international motorcycle racing to Australia.

The 1987 500cc world champion won the inaugural Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island in 1989, becoming the first rider to win a world championship race at the circuit.

Gardner repeated the achievement in 1990, securing consecutive home victories during the event’s early years.

His success helped establish Phillip Island’s reputation as a major international venue and contributed to the growth of motorcycle racing’s popularity in Australia.

The reunion will therefore bring together three generations of Australian Grand Prix success: Gardner’s pioneering victories, Doohan’s dominance during the 1990s and Stoner’s extraordinary winning streak in the modern MotoGP era.

Schwantz joins farewell as Phillip Island prepares for final MotoGP

American motorcycle racing legend Kevin Schwantz will also participate in the farewell programme.

The 1993 500cc world champion was one of the most popular riders of his generation, known for his spectacular riding style and rivalry with Wayne Rainey.

Schwantz’s presence adds an international dimension to the tribute, reflecting Phillip Island’s importance beyond Australian motorcycle racing.

The celebrations come as the circuit prepares for its final Australian Grand Prix under the current MotoGP agreement.

The championship confirmed earlier this year that the event will move to Adelaide in 2027, replacing the traditional coastal venue with a purpose-built circuit incorporating elements of a city-centre layout.

As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported when MotoGP announced its 2027 calendar, the Australian Grand Prix will take place in Adelaide on November 14 next year, becoming the penultimate round of the championship.

The new circuit will measure 4.13km and feature 15 corners, with MotoGP introducing a completely revised technical package for 2027, including 850cc engines and Pirelli tyres.

Red Bull has also signed an agreement to sponsor the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide for the first two editions of the event.

Phillip Island faces new future after MotoGP departure

The departure of MotoGP has created significant uncertainty for Phillip Island and the surrounding Bass Coast region, where the Australian Grand Prix has long been one of the most important annual events.

The Victorian Government has responded by securing the return of the Supercars Championship from 2027 under a five-year agreement.

Phillip Island will host a Supercars Finals Series round through 2031, reviving the Phillip Island 500 name and bringing Australia’s premier touring-car championship back to the circuit for the first time since 2019.

The venue will also host the inaugural Phillip Island Festival of Motoring in March 2027, although local tourism representatives have warned that replacing the economic contribution of MotoGP will require additional major events.

Before the final Grand Prix, the circuit will host the traditional Homecoming Ride on Thursday, October 22, bringing together riders and fans for a journey from San Remo through Cowes to Phillip Island.

The event’s official organisers have confirmed that registration capacity has already been reached.

When will Stoner, Doohan and Gardner ride at Phillip Island?

The Legends Lap is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, ahead of the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix. Organisers have not yet confirmed the exact time of the ceremonial ride.

The main race begins at 14:00 local time in Australia (AEDT).

The weekend takes place from October 23–25, with practice on Friday, qualifying and the sprint on Saturday, and the final Phillip Island MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday.

The championship battle adds further significance to the farewell. Jorge Martín leads Marc Márquez by just two points, with Marco Bezzecchi third after Aprilia’s dominant Indonesian Grand Prix.

Readers can consult GRANDE PRÊMIO’s complete Phillip Island schedule for the weekend’s sessions and international start times.