PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia (AP) - Honda rider Marc Marquez continued his dominance of the Moto GP championship by claiming pole position at the Australian GP on Saturday.
After clinching his seventh world title with victory in Japan last week, Marquez was again in imperious form as he overcame rainy conditions at the Phillip Island circuit to lap fastest at 1 minute 29.155 seconds for the 51st pole position of his career.
Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales was 0.31 seconds behind and will start from second, with Johann Zarco a further 0.196 seconds back in third.
Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi battled to seventh place, with Andrea Dovizioso, who is second in world championship standings, starting ninth for Sunday’s 27-lap race.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow did not appear in qualifying after breaking his leg during a practice session on Friday.
Earlier, Italtrans Racing’s Mattia Pasini claimed pole position for the Moto2 race, while Spain’s Jorge Martin took pole in Moto3 qualifying.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.