Victoria has officially lost the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which has been held at Phillip Island for nearly thirty years. The Victorian Minister for Sports and Events, Steve Dimopoulos, confirmed that the state government rejected a request from the event organizer to relocate the race to Albert Park in Melbourne. This decision marks the end of an era for Phillip Island, which will host the MotoGP for the last time this year.

Dimopoulos emphasized that the government's refusal stemmed from a commitment to remain loyal to Phillip Island, despite acknowledging that moving the race might have preserved its presence in Victoria. He stated, 'We know that we could have kept [the race] in Victoria, had we sold out Phillip Island. We were never willing to sell out Phillip Island.' This statement reflects a broader consideration of local commitment over potential financial gains associated with the event's relocation.

At this point, the future home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix remains uncertain, as Dimopoulos indicated that the announcement regarding the new venue is not yet forthcoming. The loss of this premier motorcycle racing event is likely to have implications for tourism and local businesses that benefit from the influx of fans and visitors each year. The decision also raises questions about the long-term strategy for sporting events in Victoria and how such events are positioned to balance local and financial interests.