Italian star Marco Bezzecchi has survived multiple seagull strikes to win the Australian MotoGP sprint race at Phillip Island.
After claiming the sprint race by more than three seconds, the rider admitted to being ‘pretty scared’ when a flock of seagulls flew into the field on the warm-up lap and resulted in a dead bird being stuck to the front of his Aprilia.
“I hit a big bird, unfortunately for me—and him,” Bezzecchi said, clearly upset about the incident.
“When we started the warm-up lap, they also started their warm-up lap and unfortunately I hit one, for sure, because it was on my bike, but also I think another (seagull) hit my head.”
MORE: Oscar Piastri's F1 woes continue with Sprint race crash
“Luckily nothing was broken on the bike, but I was pretty scared because I didn’t really know what to do,” the Italian continued.
Birds are one of several natural obstacles commonly encountered at the exposed Phillip Island circuit, which is also subject to high winds and rapidly changeable weather conditions.
Following his sprint win, Bezzecchi will be back on track at Phillip Island this afternoon as he starts in second position for the 2025 Australian MotoGP alongside French pole sitter Fabio Quartararo and local hope Jack Miller who begins from third.
The 27-lap race is scheduled to begin at 3pm Sunday (AEDT) and will be broadcast on Fox Sport and Kayo, with free-to-air coverage on Network 10.
"I hit a bird, unfortunately for him, especially."
— TNT Sports Bikes (@bikesontnt) October 18, 2025
Marco Bezzecchi had a few flying obstacles to navigate on the warm-up lap 🪶#MotoGP | #AustralianGP Live on TNT Sports and Discovery+ pic.twitter.com/RiYajzDyIO