Australian MotoGP cut to 19 laps over safety concerns
RACE organisers slashed the length of the Australian Grand Prix for a second time because of increasing concerns about rider safety.
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RACE organisers have slashed the length of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix for a second time because of increasing concerns about rider safety.
Just two hours before race start, officials decided to reduce the already-shortened 26-lap race to just 19.
It came after tyre provider Bridgestone said it was unable to guarantee the safety of their rear slick tyres beyond 10 laps amid problems during warm-up on Sunday morning.
Barely 24 hours earlier, Bridgestone said it could not guarantee the tyre would last beyond 14 laps because of the high temperatures generated by the new tarmac on Phillip Island.
As a result, all riders - for the first time in MotoGP history - will be forced to change their bike in dry conditions before the end of lap 10.
Pole sitter Jorge Lorenzo on Saturday expressed concerns about the changes, claiming it could be dangerous with riders entering and exiting the circuit's narrow pit lane mid-race.
The race begins at 1600 (AEDT).
Earlier on Sunday, Marc Marquez hit back at championship rival Lorenzo by posting the fastest lap during the final warm-up before the race.
Lorenzo has been dominant all weekend, topping the overall timesheets in practice and securing pole with a record-breaking qualifying lap on Saturday.
But he was 0.101secs off Marquez's pace in the last session.
All riders practised their changes during the 20-minute warm-up session.
Marquez will start alongside Lorenzo on the front row, as well as Yamaha star Valentino Rossi.
Lorenzo has twice started on pole at Phillip Island in the 250cc class and went on to win the race both times.
The Spaniard is fighting to keep his title defence alive, with Marquez only needing to outscore his championship rival by eight points to be crowned on Sunday as MotoGP's youngest titleholder.
Australians Bryan Staring and Damian Cudlin are 21st and 23rd on the grid respectively.
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