Top five: Phillip Island epic Moments

From the coronation of Casey Stoner to the long-standing reign of Valentino Rossi, Phillip Island has played host to some of the most unforgettable moments in MotoGP™ history.

Ask any fan who’s made the trip and they’ll have their own version of the top five. That’s the thing about Phillip Island. Every year delivers something different. Fierce battles, dramatic finishes, and moments you simply can’t script.

So, narrowing it down is no easy task. But here it is. Our Top 5 Island Epics.

5. 2013 – Lorenzo’s Record Lap… with a Twist

Breaking a lap record is one thing. Doing it with a seagull lodged in your bike is something else entirely.

During qualifying in 2013, Jorge Lorenzo delivered one of the most bizarre yet brilliant moments the Island has seen. After striking a seagull on his opening run, feathers flew, quite literally, as he still went on to set a record-breaking lap. 

It didn’t stop there. Once the ‘passenger’ was removed, Lorenzo went even faster, proving just how extraordinary the performance was.

Lorenzo would go on to take Pole Position and claim the 2013 race victory.

4. 2011 – Stoner’s Perfect Day

If there’s ever been a fairytale victory in MotoGP™, this was it.

Casey Stoner arrived at Phillip Island in 2011 on the brink of a second world championship. Then, in a twist of fate, title rival Jorge Lorenzo injured his finger in the Sunday morning warm up and was ruled out of the race, leaving Stoner with a clear path to seal the crown on home soil.

What followed was perfection. In front of a packed Phillip Island crowd, Stoner claimed the world championship, won his home Grand Prix by more than two seconds from Marco Simoncelli, and did it all on his 26th birthday.

Everything aligned. The weather played nice. The crowd delivered. And Stoner delivered even more.

It was the perfect script for a rider who had made Phillip Island his own. The victory formed part of an extraordinary streak of six consecutive wins at the circuit from 2007 to 2012, cementing his legacy as the undisputed King of the Island.

3. 1989 – Gardner Ignites a Nation

The first World Championship race at Phillip Island needed a moment. Wayne Gardner delivered it.

Already a national hero after winning the 500cc title in 1987, Gardner carried the weight of expectation into the inaugural Australian Grand Prix at the circuit. In the years since, he has often spoken about how exhausted he felt from the demanding promotional commitments leading up to the event, balancing media appearances and public expectations while preparing to race at the highest level.

He didn’t just handle the pressure. He thrived in it.

In front of a huge crowd, Gardner won the inaugural race at Phillip Island, crossing the line ahead of Wayne Rainey and Christian Sarron.

2. 2022 – Rins Wins the Battle Royale

Phillip Island delivers close racing like nowhere else, and 2022 was a perfect example.

Alex Rins produced a stunning ride to win one of the tightest races in recent memory. Seven riders. Separated by less than a second. After 27 laps.

No one backed off. No one played it safe.

Rins thrived in the chaos, making decisive moves when it mattered most. With Suzuki set to exit MotoGP™, the victory carried extra emotion, especially given the manufacturer had already announced it would be leaving Grand Prix racing at the end of the season. It was a reminder of what the team could do on its day.

A modern classic that captured everything Phillip Island stands for.

1. 2006 – Melandri’s Iconic Slide

There are race wins. Then there are moments that live forever. Marco Melandri’s victory in 2006 delivered both.

The race itself was historic. As changing weather conditions swept across Phillip Island, it became the first flag-to-flag race in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history, requiring riders to enter pit lane and swap bikes mid-race to suit the conditions.

In the midst of the chaos, Melandri took control and pulled clear to secure the win ahead of Chris Vermeulen and Valentino Rossi.

But it wasn’t just the result. It was the finish.

Coming through the final corner, Melandri threw the bike sideways in a controlled power slide and raised a peace sign as he crossed the line.