Australian MotoGP: High winds cause major issues for riders as Maverick Vinales shows way again

Maverick Vinales battled through the ‘very very very windy’ conditions to stay on pace for a successful Australian MotoGP title defence after a tough Saturday morning practice.

Maverick Vinales has been consistently the fastest thus far.

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Update: Fierce winds have forced the abandonment of the qualifying sessions for the Australian MotoGP this afternoon at Phillip Island.

The fourth practice session was halted after 17 minutes and after Portuguese KTM rider Miguel Oliveira crashed at high speed at Doohan Corner.

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Maverick Vinales has been consistently the fastest thus far.

All 22 MotoGP riders then went into an emergency meeting of the Safety Commission.

Race direction then decided about 3.30pm to halt the track action, including the practice and qualifying sessions, for the rest of the day.

Phillip Island MotoGP: Qualifying cancelled due to dangerous weather https://t.co/azOaSwrVL8 pic.twitter.com/qjzAxkXc7K

— motorsporthq (@motorsportshq) October 26, 2019

The weather conditions will be reassessed in the morning to decide whether qualifying will be conducted or if the first practice sessions will count for grid positions.

Oliveira was taken to the medical centre and was later declared fit.

Originally published as Australian MotoGP: High winds cause major issues for riders as Maverick Vinales shows way again