Dorna Communications

As premier class riders headed out for Q2 at the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the rain started to fall but it didn’t last long as home hero Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) lead the charge to set the first reference lap time, before Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) then took over the reigns – a 1:31.282 the first benchmark.

Marquez then moved the goal posts again on his second flying lap as the 12 riders stormed the Island, a 1:29.742 now the time to beat, with Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) slotting into P2 – 0.082 behind.

Then, the man who dominated Free Practice went quickest: Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), but he was then quickly ousted by Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) – 0.007 splitting the duo, with Marquez slotting into third, 0.037 back. The Champion didn’t stay there for long though, he shot to P1 by 0.506 - the number 93 raising the bar once more.

Then, as the second runs were about to begin; rain again. And despite it not lasting, it was enough to put a stop to anyone’s hopes of improving their times, leaving Marquez to take his fifth pole position of the season ahead of Viñales and Zarco.