Fernandez wins first MotoGP at Phillip Island as Bezzecchi penalised

Raul Fernandez delivered a dominant ride to claim his first MotoGP victory at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday at Phillip Island, capitalising on team-mate Marco Bezzecchi’s two long-lap penalties to lead home Trackhouse Aprilia to a landmark win. Fernandez crossed the line after 27 laps 1.418 seconds clear of Fabio Di Giannantonio, with Bezzecchi recovering from his penalties to complete the podium.

Fernandez surged into a leading position after Bezzecchi, who started quickly from the front row, was required to take two long-lap penalties imposed for a collision with Marc Marquez at the Indonesian Grand Prix. Bezzecchi served the first penalty on lap five and the second two laps later, dropping him from the front to sixth before mounting a late charge to reclaim third. With clear track ahead for much of the race, Fernandez extended a lead of more than three seconds at one stage and controlled the pace to the flag.

Di Giannantonio produced a strong recovery from 10th on the grid to finish second for VR46 Racing, while Alex Marquez took fourth and Pedro Acosta fifth. The result marked Aprilia’s 300th grand prix victory across classes and Trackhouse Racing’s first premier-class...