MotoGP sprint forced to cancel after chaotic weather

The decision by race organisers to move the Australian MotoGP from Sunday to Saturday has been vindicated following the cancellation of the sprint race due to terrible weather conditions.

Race organisers on Friday made the call to effectively swap the Saturday and Sunday schedules for the premier class, moving the grand prix to Saturday afternoon and the sprint to Sunday.

The Phillip Island circuit was buffeted by sustained winds of more than 30km/h for most of Sunday morning, and only strengthened into the afternoon with gusts well above 70km/h.

READ MORE: Piastri at a loss to explain 'horrible' US sprint race

READ MORE: Springboks star's classy response to death threat

READ MORE: Simmons throws down Olympic challenge to LeBron, US stars

The main concern is the cross-wind down the pit straight, where riders can reach speeds of 320km/h. At those speeds, a gust can quite literally blow a rider off the track.

The entire day's schedule was brought forward an hour, which allowed the Moto3 and Moto2 race to go ahead.

The Moto3 race was able to go to its full distance, but a significant change in the wind direction and strength meant conditions drastically worsened immediately before and during the Moto2 event.

The red flags were thrown and the race declared nine laps in after 10 of the 30 starters crashed out.

A meeting between all the MotoGP teams as well as race directors was then hastily organised, before the decision was made to cancel the race.

"Race Direction, comprised of IRTA, FIM and Dorna Sports, has advised that due to inclement weather, today's MotoGP Tissot Sprint will not proceed," a statement from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation read.

"The Moto3 Grand Prix was held earlier today, with Australian Joel Kelso finishing in third position, while the Moto2 Grand Prix was red flagged after nine of the scheduled 23 laps.

"AGPC respects the decision of Race Direction and we thank all our fans for their understanding."

The grand prix was held without issue on Saturday afternoon, and was won by Frenchman Johann Zarco.

It was his maiden grand prix victory, clinched with a last-lap lunch on teammate Jorge Martin at the hairpin. He celebrated it by doing a backflip of a wall in front of a group of French fans.

Aussie Jack Miller was seventh.