It’s that time of year again; all cases packed full of all kinds of clothing for all kinds of weather – it can only mean we’re heading for the flyaways. New to MotoGP and wondering what they are? They are awesome. Year after year, MotoGP shuts up shop in Europe for a month and heads east. It’s true that we also start the season criss-crossing the world outside of our European heartlands, but this leg of special Grands Prix give us Champions, battles, pretty unexpected results and unpredictable weather. So, get your alarm clocks set (if you’re in Europe) and the coffees lined up for your early morning adrenaline hit because if these past classics are anything to go by, you might well be pulling an all-nighter.
Phillip Island 2023: a tyre-wear thriller for Zarco’s first win
Johann Zarco had come so close so many times: 19 podiums, 11 fastest laps, 8 poles and a total of 91 laps led. In 2023, he only led one lap but it would be the lap which welcomed him back to the top step of the podium and bring him there for the first time in MotoGP™. A classic for the ages, a tyre-wear shootout on the final laps brings Zarco back to winning – and backflipping – ways!
Crutchlow conquers ‘The Island’: a second win for the #35
For the third time in four years at Phillip Island, Marc Marquez had a nightmare as he failed to score points, crashing out of the lead at Turn 4. When he did the same in 2014, Valentino Rossi was the beneficiary but in 2016, Cal Crutchlow was the one who was in the right place at the right time to take a second win of 2016.
Sepang Clash: Rossi vs Marquez in 2015
One of the most iconic sporting events of all-time and one of the defining moments in MotoGP? It’s hard to argue against it. Passing, re-passing, hand gestures and the eventual contact in front of a shocked crowd, it’s impossible not to put this on a list of flyaway moments – especially as it’s 10 years since it happened.
Lots and lots of rain at Sepang: wet races to remember in Malaysia
Malaysia’s tropical climate and high humidity often welcomes thunderstorms and intense rain across the weekend. 2009 saw Rossi take his final crown in a delayed wet Grand Prix whilst in 2012, it started wet and only got wetter, a red flag coming out with 5 to go declaring Dani Pedrosa the winner. 2016 also brought rain and Andrea Dovizioso a first win with Ducati.
Mandalika 2022: Oliveira’s rain dance
A first trip to Indonesia since 1997 and a new circuit on the island of Lombok in Mandalika, it wasn’t without drama. A delayed and wet Grand Prix saw Miguel Oliveira burst through from the third row of the grid to take a famous wet victory ahead of Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco, something the Portuguese rider would later repeat at Buriram later in the season.
Need more convincing? MotoGP in 2025 has brought with it five different winners, 11 podium finishers and countless stories. The next four Grands Prix have been won by nine riders on the current grid and we wouldn’t bet against someone else adding their name to that list!