MV AGUSTA & DUCATI MOVIES- Velocemoto

Phillip Island GP Circuit is one of the best bike tracks in the world. The atmosphere is incredible, with the ocean as a backdrop and a super smooth grippy surface. The personality of the track can change from a glorious sunny warm morning to gale force winds and bitter cold by the afternoon. All this adds to the amazing character of "The Island".

We start with a perfect view of the Ocean as we sweep under the Melbourne Bridge on the long Gardener straight, reaching a speed just over 250kph on the MV. It's down 2 gears to forth and tuck into Doohan Corner Turn 1 at about 170 -180kph for me. This is one hell of a big sweeper made especially for the brave and it's dangerous with a big tail wind !

Next is Southern Loop Turn 2, which is a double apex taken in third. Knee touches as you take an early apex, letting the bike run wide, setting up to take the second apex. The second apex is slightly downhill and important to get right for the run onto the back straight.

Turn 3 is a 5th gear, near 200kph kink, knee just skimming above the deck. It's important to stay tight through here because it's heavy braking straight after for the Turn 4 Honda Hairpin. Out of turn 4, stay right and straight line Turn 5 ready to negotiate Siberia Turn 6. A fantastic third gear cambered corner where knee sliders are destroyed and huge lean angles can be sought after with confidence. The corner opens upon it's exit so it's easy to wind on the power very early...just not too much:-)

Exiting Siberia lines you up for Turn 7 then The Hayshed Turn 8. Kiss the ripple strip on the left for 7, change directions and nail the apex for 8. You're accelerating all the way here, so you need to really man handle the bike from one direction to the other. The Hayshed is 180kph knee-down, just rolling off the throttle marginally...my favourite.

Next is Lukey Heights Turn 9. An uphill, third gear, totally blind corner that takes time and laps to learn. Initially it's daunting, but once you trust yourself over the top of the heights, it's exhilarating. As you reach the top of Lukey, you're confronted with a very down hill and rather short run to the tight MG Hairpin Turn10. It's important to be smooth from the top to the entry to the hairpin. So many riders panic coming over the top of Lukey, either with too much front brake too quickly or compression lock up. It's all downhill on the brakes, so the rear end goes very light if you're pushing.

From MG, it's building speed all the way to the front straight, first through 3rd gear Turn 11 and finally 4th gear Turn 12. The braver you are into and out of turn 12, the quicker the front straight becomes.

If your a hacker like me, you'll feel joining the "under 1:55 club" for the first time is like reaching the top of Mt. Everest, but in reality, times are secondary: it's just a blessing this place is in our backyard and we get to experience it.

CLICK THE IMAGES BELOW FOR FULL SIZE

TRACK LAYOUT

BRAKING FOR TURN 1

SOUTHERN LOOP TURN 2

EXITING SOUTHERN LOOP

HONDA HAIRPIN TURN 4

EXITING HONDA TOWARDS TURN 5

SIBERIA TURN 6

LINING UP TURN 7 & THE HAYSHED TURN 8