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Australian Grand Prix: Start time, broadcast details, key information

16th October, 2014
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Marc Marquez is on top and showing some real consistency. (CTK via AP Images)
Roar Guru
16th October, 2014
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The MotoGP Australian Grand Prix is on this weekend at Phillip Island. Here is all the information you need to know about the event, as well as some of the big storylines heading into it.

Marc Marquez may have won the Moto GP championship last weekend, but that doesn’t mean the racing will be dull because the title is over.

Marquez will still be looking to end the season with wins and Jorge Lorenzo is aiming for three straight wins after a horror season so far.

With contracts on the line for 2015 as well, many other riders will be trying to perform well to secure a ride for 2015. With nothing on the line on the points front this weekend, every rider will be looking for the win.

While the Moto GP championship is over, the Moto 2 and Moto 3 titles are still on the line. With enough points this weekend, Esteve Rabat can win the Moto 2 championship.

The Moto3 championship, from an Australian perspective, will be the talking point of the weekend. Australian Jack Miller is right in contention and is 25 points behind Alex Marquez in the title fight.

A win this weekend by Miller, and a poor result from Marquez, will put the Aussie in the hunt. Spurred on by a home crowd, the Townsville youngster may just provide another highlight at the Island.

Here is all the information for the weekend.

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Key race information

Venue: Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
Race Length: 27 laps – 120.1 kilometres
Lap Record: 1:27.899 – Jorge Lorenzo (2013)
Race Record: 1:28.108 – Marc Marquez
Previous Winners: 2007–2012 – Casey Stoner, 2013 – Jorge Lorenzo
TV: Channel Ten and Speed Channel

Start times and weekend schedule (local time)

Friday:
Moto 3 Practice – FP1 – 10:00 – 10:40 FP2 – 2:10 – 2:50
Moto 2 Practice – FP1 – 11:55 – 12:40 FP2 – 4:05 – 4:50
Moto GP Practice – FP1 – 10:55 – 11:40 FP2 – 3:05 – 3:50

Saturday:
Moto 3 – FP3 – 10:00 – 10:40
Moto 3 – Qualifying – 1:35 – 2:15
Moto 2 – FP3 – 11:55 – 12:40
Moto 2 – Qualifying – 4:05 – 4:50
Moto GP – FP3 – 10:55 – 11:40
Moto GP – FP4 – 2:30 – 3:00
Moto GP – Qualifying 1 – 3:10 – 3:25
Moto GP – Qualifying 2 – 3:35 – 3:50

Sunday:
Moto 3 – Warm Up – 10:40 – 11:00
Moto 3 – Race – 1:00
Moto 2 – Warm Up – 11:10 – 11:30
Moto 2 – Race – 2:20
Moto GP – 11:40 – 12:00
Moto GP – 4:00

TV schedule and live stream (check local guides)

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Channel Ten:
Saturday, October 18 – 1.00 – 5.00
Sunday, October 19: 11.30 – 5.00
Speed –

Friday, October 17 – 9:55 – 5:00
Saturday, October 18 – 9:30 – 5:30
Sunday, October 19 – 10:30 – 5:30

Biggest storylines to watch for

Can Jack Miller keep his Moto 3 Championship hopes alive?
The Aussie heads into his home event 25 points behind Alex Marquez in the championship.

A win this weekend, and no points to Marquez, would even up the championship with two rounds to go. If Miller is to win, he will have to stop the form of Marquez.

The younger brother of Marc Marquez has been in strong form in the last few rounds. He has been on the podium in his last four races and won in Motegi last week. Marquez has also finished inside the top six in the last nine races.

This weekend is important for Miller. After being involved in an incident in Aragon and a last lap mistake in Motegi when he was leading, Miller needs a result in Australia.

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Buoyed on by a home crowd he could win the race and close the gap to Marquez.

On the other hand, a poor result from the Australian, could see Marquez create a gap that would be hard to chase in the final two rounds.

It will be interesting to see how Miller handles the pressure this weekend and if he can keep the championship alive with a win in Moto 3.

Can Esteve Rabat wrap up the Moto 2 Championship?
If Esteve Rabat can beat his team-mate, Mika Kallio, by more than 12 points this weekend then he will win the Moto 2 Championship.

The Spaniard currently leads by 38 points in the championship and is the odds on favourite to win the title this year.

Rabat has been the dominant rider in the championship, winning seven races this year, and finishing on the podium in 11 races.

His team has been strong as well.

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With Kallio struggling for form in the last two races, Rabat could secure enough points to win the championship.
It could be a big weekend for the Spanaird.

On a side note, look out for Australian Aiden Wagner, who is making his debut in Moto 2 this weekend.

The young Queenslander will compete as a wildcard this weekend for Marc VDS.

He will be racing the same bike that has won 10 of the 15 races this season.

This is a huge opportunity for the Australian.

If he impresses this weekend, he could get a full time gig for 2015.

Can Jorge Lorenzo win three races in a row?
After a horror start to the 2014 season, the last few rounds have been great for the Yamaha rider.

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Seven straight podiums, and two straight wins, have moved Lorenzo to fourth in the championship.

He is now only three points away from second in the championship.

Lorenzo heads to Australia looking for three straight wins this year, and two straight wins at Phillip Island.

Last year the Spaniard became just the fourth winner at the Australian Grand Prix in the last 13 years.

He will be looking to continue that and win back to back races.

Plenty will be looking to stop him including Marquez, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi.

With Australia being a circuit that can cause a surprise look out for Stefan Bradl, Aleix Espargaro, Andrea Dovizioso and Bradley Smith.

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On their day, with the right conditions and luck, they can cause an upset.

With the championship over it could be a cracking race as everyone goes for the win.

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