Agius charges to dream home podium
Super Senna Agius has sent the home crowd into a frenzy by charging from 13th to third and scoring a dream maiden Moto2 podium at Phillip Island.
Agius was rapid on his Intact GP and flew from fifth row to lock down fourth by the halfway mark.
This became third when Alonso Lopez crashed at Miller Corner three laps from the finish and with Agius charging clear of Ai Ogura, he had every reason to celebrate.
Not even a slip in the grass when receiving the Aussie flag from a marshal could dampen his spirits.
On Moto2 debut Harrison Voight finished a respectable 18th, while Fermin Aldeguer fended off Aron Canet in a stunning last lap battle.
Luck might have been on Agius’ side, but the 2023 FIM Moto2 European Champion well and truly earned it and could not believe he was standing on the iconic Phillip Island podium.
“I have no words,” Agius said with the Aussie flag around his neck.
“In that race I felt so good and to be honest I did not want to catch Alonso too quickly and use the tyre, but then he went down.
“It was the longest race of my life and I have to say a massive thank you to the whole Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team for believing in me.
“It has not been the easiest of seasons, so to get my first podium today I am actually a bit emotional.”
David Alonso secured the 2024 Moto3 crown in style by taking a record-equalling 11th win of 2024 from 10th on the grid to joinValentino Rossi.
The Columbian could not wipe the smile off his face and even covered himself in bandages just like the “Doctor” did all those years ago.
Australia’s Joel Kelso even led a handful of the opening laps, but got muscled out at Southern Loop and had to settle for 11th, two spots ahead of compatriot Jacob Roulstone.
Agius made a strong start from 13th, charging into the top 10 on the opening lap as neither Dennis Foggia or Jake Dixon made it to Turn 1.
The Intact GP rider kept up his early race momentum by picking up a place per lap to fly into the top six.
Agius did not stop there, showing exceptional race pace and picking off Ai Ogura and Barry Baltus to surge up to fourth at the halfway point of the race.
In addition to being in a career-best position, he also quickly pulled a second of breathing space on the battling pack behind.
The Camden racer even sniggered a dream podium reeling in Lopez and the SpeedUp Spaniard cracked under pressure, crashing on his own at Miller Corner.
To the delight of the crowd it promoted Agius to third, only behind Aldeguer and Canet, who battled hard for victory.
The pair had two thrilling side by side clashes on the final lap alone, but the one at MG decided it.
Aldeguer went for it down the inside and the pair ran wide, rubbing shoulders and leathers before the SpeedUp rider prevailed in an unforgettable battle.
Voight started his first Moto2 race in 24th, but avoided the early drama to climb to 21st before passing teammate Alex Escrig to lock down 19th, but as the riders fell towards the end, Voight was promoted to 18th.
The buzz was high at the start of the Moto3 race as Kelso chased a second straight home podium after his special ride to third in the rain and wind last year.
Silverware was just the start of Kelso’s possibilities initially as he charged to the lead to the thrill of the home crowd.
Kelso started seventh, but charged to fourth on the opening lap alone with a smart move at Doohan Corner.
The BOE Motorsports rider then hit the lead with a big dive at Miller Corner.
Kelso led his teammate Munoz for a couple of laps, but could not retain control.
He slipped to eighth towards the end of the opening half of the race after falling short in the intensely fierce fight at the front, but importantly was still in touch with the lead group led by Alonso.
However, hearts sank around Phillip Island on Lap 10 when Kelso suddenly dropped to 16th after getting bumped wide at the Southern Loop.
Just outside the top 10 was Roulstone in 12th and Kelso took three laps to catch his compatriot.
But it was the Tech3 local that kept going forward, getting into the top 10 for the first time on Lap 16.
Kelso ended up passing Roulstone and crossed the line 11th, just half a second away from the top 10. The Tech3 Aussie had a solid race, not losing any ground and was 13th, just 0.025s behind 12th.
By the final five laps, the fight for the lead was overwhelmingly won by Alonso as he charged 3s into the distance and towards history.
This left Holgado, Fernandez, Nepa and Munoz to scrap for second and they did not disappoint.
The quartet took all the way to the chequered flag, going side by side in a photo finish.
In the end Holgado got his wheel just 0.003s ahead of Fernandez.
Image: Gold and Goose
2024 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
Practice 1: Fri 10.45-11.30 (Fox Sports)
Practice: Fri 15.00-16.00 (Fox Sports)
Practice 2: Sat 10.10-10.40 (Fox Sports)
Qualifying: Sat 10.50-11.30 (Fox Sports)
Sprint: Sat 15.00 13 Laps (Channel 10/Fox Sports)
Warm up: Sun 9.40-9.50 (Fox Sports)
Grand Prix: Sun 14.00 27 laps (Channel 10/Fox Sports)
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