Veda Ega Pratama’s Moto3 Australian GP Cancelled by Weather

Veda Ega Pratama Secures Historic Pole Before Weather Cancels Moto3 Australia

Veda Ega Pratama of Honda Team Asia captured a groundbreaking pole position at the Australian Grand Prix, only to see his race day end in a cancellation due to severe weather at Phillip Island. The rookie rider from Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, had charged through Q1 to set a blistering lap of 1 minute 35.299 seconds, edging out world championship leader Maximo Quiles by a razor-thin margin of 0.021 seconds. It marked the first-ever pole position and front-row start for an Indonesian rider in the Moto3 class.

Thick Fog and Heavy Rain Force Race Cancellations

Heavy rain and dense fog swept across the Phillip Island circuit on Sunday, October 25, 2026, drastically reducing visibility and grounding the essential medical helicopter. According to official championship announcements, the morning schedule was initially pushed back as organizers monitored the weather. With visibility failing to improve sufficiently to clear medical aviation standards, officials ultimately called off both the Moto3 and Moto2 races to prioritize competitor safety. The premier-class grand prix was instead pushed to a delayed afternoon slot as the first track action of the day.

Rider Reaction and Standing Ahead of Sepang

Reflecting on the anticlimactic end to his weekend, Veda Ega Pratama acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on a race day where he held strong victory potential. Saya sangat menantikan balapan di Malaysia. Tentu saja rasanya mengecewakan tidak bisa balapan di Australia, apalagi setelah berhasil meraih pole position dan merasa begitu kuat sepanjang akhir pekan, ujar Veda Ega dalam rilis Honda Team Asia. Saya sangat ingin bersaing dalam balapan tersebut, tetapi terkadang hal-hal seperti ini bisa terjadi, dan kita harus menerima keputusan itu dan terus melangkah maju, katanya melanjutkan. Speaking ahead of the subsequent round, the Honda Team Asia rider expressed that while it was tough not to convert his historic Saturday pace into Sunday points, the squad accepted the safety call and turned their focus forward. Veda enters the Malaysia event sitting eighth in the championship standings with 111 points, trailing Valentin Perrone by nine points and holding an eight-point margin over ninth-placed Hakim Danish.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Phillip Island Cancellation

Why were the Moto3 and Moto2 races cancelled at Phillip Island?

Persistent heavy rain and low visibility created hazardous track conditions that prevented the medical helicopter from operating safely, forcing race direction to cancel the intermediate and lightweight class grands prix.

How did Veda Ega Pratama qualify for the Australian Grand Prix?

Veda advanced through Q1 by placing fourth in the opening qualifying session, then carried that speed into Q2 to set a 1:35.299 lap that secured his debut Moto3 pole position.

What position does Veda hold in the championship standings?

Veda occupies eighth place in the Moto3 standings with 111 points heading into the Malaysia round at Sepang.

More on this story: Veda Pratama Claims Historic Maiden Moto3 Pole at Australian GP · Mario Aji takes direct Moto2 Q2 spot in Malaysia practice

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