In a fierce fight for the top spot which saw spitting rain and darkening skies threaten to elevate the slower Q2 group to the front of the grid, Marquez mastered the unpredictable grip levels best to set a pole position time of 1m29.199s
Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) will line up next to Marquez on the front row, courtesy of a 1m29.509s lap. Rounding out the front row is Frenchman Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) 1m29.705s.
After topping the timesheets throughout free practice, Suzuki rider Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was unable to reproduce his pace in the much cooler conditions, finishing the session fourth fastest with a 1m29.712s lap for a second-row start next to his Suzuki teammate, Alex Rins (1m30.026s).
Jack Miller, who was hoping for a front-row start at his home GP, finished the session in sixth position with a 1m30.140s lap, and a second-row start.
Miller, riding last year’s GP17 model, claimed the honour of the fastest Ducati rider and will start tomorrow’s race a grid-row ahead of his GP18-mounted Alma Pramac Racing teammate Danilo Petrucci (1m30.328s) and Ducati factory rider Andrea Dovizioso (1m30.519s).
Mike Jones will occupy grid position 23 on his Angel Nieto Ducati, following another safe-as-houses session from the young Aussie for a best lap time of 1m32.639s
Full grid available at: http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2018/AUS/MotoGP/Q2/QualifyingResults.pdf?v1_46215c9c
Photos GnG
Zane Pavelic
