MotoGP Australia Day 1, Raul Fernandez (Aprilia/2): "The thought of finishing on the podium keeps me awake at night"

Raul Fernandez has been on fire for the past few races, and this is confirmed once again in Australia. The Aprilia Trackhouse Racing rider, who finished third in the Sprint at Mandalika, finished second in the Practice at Phillip Island, placing ideally behind Marco Bezzecchi. Fernandez, after a long period of discretion, finally seems to be showing the potential that everyone has been expecting from him since this historic 2021 Moto2 season. However, his goals are still far from being achieved; he dreams of a podium, and hopes to achieve it on Sunday.

Raul Fernandez could only be happy with his first day on Australian soil. « I've always really liked Phillip Island ; I love fast circuits where you feel the speed, and here the bike feels good. Today was a very positive day: we tried all kinds of tires, one of those days where everything comes easily. There wasn't a single strong rider with the hard front tire, and the team decided to fit it, be patient and use it, and we succeeded. As a team we are growing, and as a rider they are also helping me to progress a lot, so I am super happy.I always say: after going through difficult times, after fighting against the current... we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and move forward in a very positive direction. We are entering a positive cycle, and we must try to maintain this feeling. » he declared for Motosan.

 

 

The turning point came during the Misano test. « I never thought that a test, especially at Misano, with so much grip, would make me progress so much. This year I'm really enjoying the training days: in Jerez it helped me a lot, in Aragon we tried an aerodynamic package, and in Misano it gave me the final push to improve. It is clear that the objective is not necessarily there at the momentThe real goal is to always be between sixth and seventh place, and if one day we do better, like a podium – like in Mandalika – it will be the perfect day" he continued.

 

 

The podium is as if he doesn't dare believe in it, even though it seems accessible to him in many ways. “The thought of finishing on the podium keeps me awake at night. I dream about it. I tried in Mandalika, it didn't work, but at least I tried.” he concluded.

Do you see Raul Fernandez's dream coming true on Phillip Island? Tell us in the comments!

2025 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix Practice Results: 

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport