Three-time Australian MotoGP champion Mick Doohan has acknowledged the significance of Phillip Island as a premier racing venue while emphasizing that the sport has outgrown the Victorian circuit. As the island prepares to host its final MotoGP event this weekend before the race moves to Adelaide in 2027, Doohan praised the facility but cited logistical and infrastructural limitations that have prompted the change.

Doohan, a five-time consecutive world champion from 1994 to 1998, including two Australian Grand Prix victories—one at Eastern Creek and his last at Phillip Island in 1998—described the transition as “a bit sad” but necessary for the sport’s future growth. He noted that while the circuit remains “magnificent,” it lacks sufficient accommodation, dining options, and access, which make extended stays challenging for fans. Visitors from interstate often face long commutes, sometimes requiring overnight stays in Melbourne followed by hours of travel to the venue. In contrast, Adelaide offers a more compact experience, with direct airport access and a racing precinct within walking distance of city accommodations.

Phillip Island’s 4.45 km track features corners named after Australian racing icons—Doohan himself, Wayne Gardner, and Casey Stoner—reflecting its rich history in the sport. Doohan recalled thrilling moments on the track, including a notable 1997 crash while leading the home GP in a season finale. However, he acknowledged that despite continuing to produce exciting racing, Phillip Island is no longer suited to the demands of elite MotoGP competition. “Phillip Island always creates great racing but it’s just time for a move,” Doohan said.

Doohan, Gardner, and Stoner are set to participate in a Legends Lap on Sunday as part of the farewell event. The race’s move to Adelaide aligns with recent changes in the sport's management. Liberty Media, which owns Formula One, acquired a controlling 84 percent stake in MotoGP last year. Doohan expressed cautious optimism about the new ownership’s potential to enhance the sport, drawing parallels to Liberty Media’s transformation of Formula One, including efforts to bring racing closer to urban populations.

“The sport is still the pinnacle on two wheels,” Doohan remarked, highlighting the close competition with Formula One in terms of global motorsport prestige. He praised the spectacle of motorcycle racing for its combination of speed and skill, with riders not physically restrained to their machines, offering a visceral experience to fans.

Doohan also pointed to the need for Australian talent to reinvigorate local interest in MotoGP. Since Casey Stoner’s retirement, Australia has not produced a world champion in over a decade, which he said has affected domestic engagement. “Australia needs somebody to cheer,” Doohan said. He stressed the importance of maintaining MotoGP events in Australia to inspire the next generation of riders who aspire to compete on the world stage.