There's no replacing Phillip Island, but MotoGP insists what's to come will eclipse the iconic Australian circuit.
The sport's nearly 30-year presence at the Victorian venue will come to a "bittersweet" end at this weekend's Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix as MotoGP looks to usher in a new era.
Adelaide will host what MotoGP will hope becomes the crown jewel of their calendar for six years from November 2027.
A new street circuit has been designed on a blueprint of the South Australian city's former F1 circuit, after the Victorian government rejected a shift to Melbourne's Albert Park.
But the move has drawn the ire of many in the MotoGP world, with Australian great Casey Stoner among the loudest voices in calling Phillip Island as "one of the greatest Motorcycle circuits in the entire world".
While conceding there'll always be a minority of criticism, MotoGP chief sporting officer Carlos Ezpeleta says racers have since been won over by the promise of the sport's future.
"When they saw the first layouts - they're all very confident on the project that has been developed together with South Australia," Ezpeleta told AAP.
"In Phillip Island, the reality is that there are many MotoGP fans that can't come to the race or don't come to the race.
"There are things that we couldn't really control or fix. Things like the distance, transportation, traffic, accommodation and the weather ... which have isolated the event from Melbourne and from Australia.
"It's obviously bittersweet ... Phillip Island is definitely a big part of MotoGP history.
"But we're really looking forward to building what's going to be probably the biggest event on our calendar next year."
The sport's return to street circuit racing, for the first time since 1981, is expected to become a "catalyst" for MotoGP in Australia.
On track, there are hopes highly-rated Australian youngster Senna Agius will become the new face of MotoGP in the country.
The 20-year-old steps up from Moto2 after earning a spot at KTM Tech3, with veteran compatriot Jack Miller to leave the sport next year for Superbikes.
New owners USA-based Liberty Media have been at the centre of revamping the motorsport category after acquiring Dorna - now MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group - in July last year.
When Liberty purchased Formula One in 2017, popularity in the sport skyrocketed.
"The expectation is not only to transform the (Adelaide) event from an attendance point of view but really from a cultural point of view," Ezpeleta said.
"To make sure that it's not just a race, it's a must-be-at event.
"We're really also targeting for the event to act as a catalyst for the sport in Australia.
"MotoGP is definitely the most exciting motorsport on the planet and I think everybody agrees on that."
This week's Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix gets underway with practice on Friday, with Australia's former world champions taking to the track to bid farewell to Phillip Island.
Stoner, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner will do a lap of honour before the main race on Sunday, joined by American world champion Kevin Schwantz.
