Despite a crash late in the session, Spains Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) topped the timesheets in the Free Practice 3 session for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Jack Miller was again in the top 10, and will make an appearance in this afternoon’s faster group Qualifying 2 session that will determine the grid for tomorrow’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Broc Parkes (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) was 20th  fastest in the slippery conditions.

In wet and slippery conditions that caught out a number of riders, Marquez topped the timesheets on lap nine of the 12-laps he managed to complete before a low-side saw him slide through a sand trap. Marquez unsuccessfully attempted to restart the bike with the help of officials, before deciding to sit out the remainder of the 45-minute session, safe in the knowledge he would take part in this afternoons Qualifying 2 session.

Second overall was Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider Johann Zarco (1m38.983s), followed by KTM’s Pol Espargaro (1m39.056s), who impressed in the wet conditions. The other Espagaro brother, Aleix (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) who was yesterday’s fastest rider overall for the FP1 and FP2 session, was the slowest rider in the wet (1m43.415). In the end, the rain affected times counted for little, with Aleix Espargaro headed for this afternoon’s Qualifying 2 as the fastest overall form the three Free Practice sessions. He will be joined by Marc Marquez (Repsol Hond), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Zarco, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and Pol Espargaro.

The big news of the session was about those who failed to make the Q2 cutoff. A high-speed crash by Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo saw him out of the running, and the Ducati rider looked a little sore after his high-speed tumble through the gravel trap. Valentino Rossi will also roll out for Q1.

1    M MARQUEZ    SPA   HON   1m38.522s    

2    J ZARCO    FRA    YAM    1m38.983s    

3    P ESPARGARO    SPA    KTM 1m39.056s    

4   K ABRAHAM    CZE    DUC   314.2    1m39.212s    

5    D PETRUCCI    ITA    DUC    1m39.356s    

6    D PEDROSA    SPA    HON 1m39.556s   

7    C CRUTCHLOW    GBR    HON   1m39.760s

8    A DOVIZIOSO    ITA    DUC 1m39.760s    

9    H BARBERA    SPA    DUC   1m39.802s    

10    J MILLER    AUS    HON   1m39.889s    

20    B PARKES    AUS    YAM    1m41.818s