Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Marc Marquez has bounced back from a “big mistake” to secure a hoodoo-busting pole position in the last qualifying session at the Australian MotoGP on Phillip Island.
The reigning world champion snared top spot after producing a stunning final lap of one minute and 34.203 seconds on a damp Saturday ahead of the sprint and main races later in the weekend.
The provisional pole-sitter’s result comes as he looks to win his fifth Australian MotoGP and first since 2024.
But the Ducati Lenovo star’s qualifying session wasn’t all smooth sailing, with Marquez losing his balance at turn four in his first flying lap and crashing into the gravel and grass.
After a frantic pit stop, he rallied to record the largest MotoGP pole-position margin in seven years, finishing ahead of his brother Alex Marquez by a mammoth 1.494 seconds.
“It was a big mistake on that turn four,” Marc Marquez told Fox Sports.
“But the team was ready with the other bike. I kept focus. I tried to find the same feeling as free practice. The last lap … was a good lap.”
Australian Jack Miller didn’t secure a front-row finish but will start on the second row in fifth position.
It followed a sub-par practice on Friday, but he posted the fastest lap in the first qualifying session to make the crucial second stage.
Johann Zarco rounded out the front row as he looks to win his first Australian MotoGP since 2023.
Championship leader Jorge Martin and last year’s Australian MotoGP champion Raul Fernandez will line up alongside Miller after finishing fourth and sixth respectively.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pedro Acosta, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio and Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi will start seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
Diogo Moreira, Enea Bastianini and Ai Ogura round out the top 12.
The qualifying session comes ahead of the final race at Phillip Island after the Victorian government rejected a shift to Melbourne’s Albert Park, and MotoGP subsequently moved the race to Adelaide starting from November 2027.
Regardless, the Australian GP falls at a crucial juncture of the season, with only four rounds remaining.
Just two points separate Martin and Marc Marquez in the overall standings, while Miller is looking to finish in the top 10 for the second time.
Riders will return for the sprint race at 3pm (AEDT) on Saturday, before the main race takes place on Sunday.
AUSTRALIAN MOTOGP QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo)
2. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing)
3. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR)
4. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing)
5. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha)
6. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing)
7. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing)
9. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia)
10. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR)
11. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM)
12. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse)
