'Jam it': Motorcycle legend Wayne Gardner hits out at shock MotoGP announcement
Australian MotoGP legend Wayne Gardner has ripped the Victorian Government following news the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix had been poached by South Australia for 2027.
The 1987 world champion was heavily involved in originally bringing what was then the 500cc world championship to Phillip Island in 1989. He would go on to win the first two events at the circuit before it was moved to Sydney's Eastern Creek. It returned to 'the Island' in 1997, where it has remained ever since.
"I'm not surprised if I'm honest ... this has been coming for some years," he told ABC Melbourne from his Monaco home.
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Wayne Gardner in action at Phillip Island in 1990. Getty
"The Victorian government, they have a reputation of winning, losing, disappearing, and then they come back, and then they go again, and it's just on and off.
"So I'm kind of sad and disappointed, but I'm not surprised by the antics of the Victorian government and the AGP Corp."
The main straight was named in Gardner's honour to commemorate his success at the venue, alongside a bronze bust.
When asked what he would like to happen to it, he was blunt.
Gardner poses next to his statue in 2014. Getty
"I might jam it up their arses, actually," he said.
Rumours Phillip Island would lose the event have ebbed and flowed for years, with a lack of funding for redevelopment a big sticking point.
There are also rumours this weekend's round of the World Superbikes will be the last at the venue before it, too, shifts to South Australia for 2027. The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend, east of Adelaide, is expected to be the host.
Gardner's son Remy will be in action this weekend at Phillip Island.
A main criticism of the Phillip Island venue is the facilities. While the track itself is world-class and a favourite among riders, the pit lane is incredibly narrow, and the pit building and paddock ageing. The facilities and amenities for fans are also few and far between.
A proposed redevelopment of the venue by track owner Lindsay Fox, which would include a knock-down-rebuild of the pit building and paddock, as well as the construction of a resort and 18-hole golf course, has been repeatedly knocked back by local opposition from as early as 2006.
On Friday morning, Australian Grand Prix Corporation boss Travis Auld said he understood the "emotional" reaction from Gardner, but stated there was no amount of money that could have kept the iconic event in Victoria, and put the blame squarely on the MotoGP top brass.
"He did come off the long run, didn't he? I know this is an emotional announcement for people like Wayne, Mick Doohan, Casey Stoner," he said.
"Crowds last year were the highest in 10 years. We've increased investment for the last five years.
"It's actually not to do with Phillip Island - Phillip Island is not a street circuit. Dorna wants a street circuit. There was nothing we could do would make Phillip Island a street circuit."
Last week, reports emerged MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna) had formally requested the AGPC move the event from Phillip Island to Albert Park, which hosts the F1 grand prix every March.
The corporation - which is a department of the Victorian government tasked with running the F1 and MotoGP events - declined, citing the economic boost the event provides to regional Victoria. The rejection all but sealed the event's fate.
"(I feel) not just for the people of the region - fans come from all around the country and internationally," Auld said.
"Reading the comments of the riders, they're going to miss it. It was an iconic circuit and will hold a place in the history of MotoGP comfortably.
"It's a disappointing outcome, no doubt."
