South Australia is set to become the new host of the MotoGP in Australia, with Victoria set to lose the Australian Grand Prix after hosting the race for nearly 30 years.
The move comes as a major blow for the Victorian government, who had reportedly been in negotiations for several months with rights holder Dorna Sports over an extension on the deal to host the race in Victoria.
According to the Australian Financial Review, Dorna Sports had applied to the government to move the race from its usual home at Phillip Island to Albert Park.
However, Jacinta Allan’s office reportedly blocked the request, stating that it would provide more funding to make the race ‘bigger and better’ on the proviso that it stayed on Phillip Island.
While an official confirmation is yet to come, it is expected that the race is now due to be hosted in Adelaide from 2027 onwards.
Victoria’s tourism, sport and major events minister Steve Dimopoulos insisted that the government was unwilling to ‘sell out Phillip Island.’
‘I’m very disappointed after 29 years of what has been an extraordinary partnership,’ Dimopoulos said.
‘I wish MotoGP all the best with their second choice.’
While a disappointment for Victoria, it is a major coup for South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas particularly ahead of the upcoming state elections in March.
South Australia had initially been the host of the great race before Melbourne pinched it in the early 1990s.
More to follow…