Max Biaggi takes victory in the opening race of the season, but it is his comeback from 24th to second place in race two that earns him plaudits at Phillip Island.
British GP2 driver Sam Bird has called time on the feeder series, and switched to a new opportunity in Formula Renault 3.5/World Series by Renault for 2012.
Danica Patrick's accident at the end of the first Gatorade Duel on Thursday stole the headlines from the race winners, and had even veteran racers wincing at the impact.
Nico Terol and Johann Zarco, first and second respectively in last year's final 125cc World Championship, continued adapting their riding styles for 600cc four-strokes during the Jerez Moto2 test.
Leon Haslam joins the list of walking wounded as a fracture to his tibia threatens to rule him out of the opening World Superbike round at Phillip Island.