Moto3™ was back in action with another exciting triple header after a much-deserved week of rest. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 travelled to Phillip Island for the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the 17th round of this exciting 2024 season. With David Alonso crowned new Moto3™ World Champion in Motegi, that left Daniel Holgado with one and only one target: the 2nd place. On the other side, home boy Jacob Roulstone had an exciting weekend awaiting him, with the Aussie racing for the first time in front of a home crowd.

Starting the day under the rain, the Moto3™ class was on track a bit earlier than usual, at 8:45 local time (GMT+11), as the class was allowed extra track time to try the Pirelli tyres on the totally resurfaced Phillip Island circuit. The rain joined the party though, and that was a wet Free Practice that Daniel Holgado had to face. Without taking too many unnecessary risks, the #96 completed 16 laps this morning to get the first feels of the 4.448 km track. His best in 1’48.003 sat him in P24. After an hectic morning that saw MotoGP™’s FP1 being cancelled due to a heavy rain, the sun was back just in time for Moto3™’s Practice 1. Although the track was damp, the sky was fully blue again, and riders were able to work in better conditions. Holgado completed another 15 laps in the afternoon, but did not quite find a way to improve his lap times. His best lap in 1’48.445 placed him 17th at the end of play on day 1. We will hope for better conditions in tomorrow’s Practice 2 to have better chances to qualify for Q2.

An intense and exciting weekend awaited Aussie boy Jacob Roulstone for his first home Grand Prix at Phillip Island. After a great media day that saw the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 rider go on a motorbike parade with Jack Miller and no one else than the legend himself Mick Doohan, the day was not over when the young rookie was paid a visit by Doohan in the garage as Jacob paid tribute to the Australian star with a special helmet. In the opening session, Roulstone rode 15 laps with a best in 1’47.532, but he was not able to improve in the damp afternoon session. He closed Practice 1 in P22, and will be looking forward to a new day to continue improving on his home turf. The boys will be back on track on Saturday morning at 8:40 (GMT+11), followed later on by the qualifying sessions from 12:50.