Phillip Island MotoGP: Marc Marquez flies to pole for Honda

Honda's Marc Marquez stormed to pole position for MotoGP's Australia Grand Prix at Phillip Island, with Andrea Iannone and Jorge Lorenzo setting identical times to complete the front row

Marquez had earlier been fastest in third practice, having also led Friday's second practice session, and proved to be unbeatable over one lap around the 2.7-mile circuit.

The Spaniard's opening gambit, a 1m28.731s, left him three tenths of a second clear of the rest.

Though his opposition improved, Marquez held the same advantage at the end of the session after going faster himself with a 1m28.364s.

Iannone and Lorenzo's matching times came right at the death, as the pair crossed the line in tandem.

Lorenzo had been unhappy with the Ducati rider, but will start behind the Italian on Sunday's grid.

The Yamaha rider's starting position is a boost to his championship hopes, however, with team-mate and championship leader Valentino Rossi four spots behind.

The Italian's seventh place was an accurate reflection of his pace so far this weekend relative to Lorenzo and leaves him with work to do to in Sunday's race to get on terms with his rival.

He was beaten by the second Honda of Dani Pedrosa in fourth and the impressive duo of Cal Crutchlow and Maverick Vinales in fifth and sixth respectively, the pair continuing the strong form they have shown since Friday.

Both Espargaros came through the earlier Q1 session and Suzuki's Aleix ended the session with the bragging rights after securing eighth on the grid, narrowly ahead of brother Pol.

Australian Jack Miller will start his home event from 15th after missing out on advancing to the second session.

STARTING GRID:

Pos Rider Team Bike Time Gap
1 Marc Marquez Honda Honda 1m28.364s -
2 Andrea Iannone Ducati Ducati 1m28.680s 0.316s
3 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Yamaha 1m28.680s 0.316s
4 Dani Pedrosa Honda Honda 1m28.712s 0.348s
5 Cal Crutchlow LCR Honda 1m28.912s 0.548s
6 Maverick Vinales Suzuki Suzuki 1m28.932s 0.568s
7 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Yamaha 1m29.014s 0.650s
8 Aleix Espargaro Suzuki Suzuki 1m29.015s 0.651s
9 Pol Espargaro Tech 3 Yamaha 1m29.222s 0.858s
10 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Ducati 1m29.267s 0.903s
11 Scott Redding Marc VDS Honda 1m29.499s 1.135s
12 Bradley Smith Tech 3 Yamaha 1m29.626s 1.262s
13 Danilo Petrucci Pramac Racing Ducati 1m29.918s -
14 Hector Barbera Avintia Racing Ducati 1m30.064s -
15 Jack Miller LCR Honda 1m30.104s -
16 Eugene Laverty Aspar Honda 1m30.105s -
17 Yonny Hernandez Pramac Racing Ducati 1m30.135s -
18 Alvaro Bautista Aprilia Gresini Aprilia 1m30.147s -
19 Loris Baz Forward Racing Yamaha Forward 1m30.173s -
20 Nicky Hayden Aspar Honda 1m30.376s -
21 Stefan Bradl Aprilia Gresini Aprilia 1m30.634s -
22 Mike Di Meglio Avintia Racing Ducati 1m30.959s -
23 Anthony West AB Motoracing Honda 1m31.205s -
24 Toni Elias Forward Racing Yamaha Forward 1m31.837s -
25 Damian Cudlin IodaRacing Project ART/Aprilia 1m33.884s -

Follow MotoGP's Australian Grand Prix as it happens with Autosport Race Centre Live from 6am UK time on Sunday

shares
comments

Phillip Island MotoGP: Marc Marquez leads Cal Crutchlow in practice

Aspar MotoGP team swaps Honda for Ducati, keeps Laverty for 2016

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Subscribe