MotoGP Australia LIVE race: Alex Rins fills Suzuki, Marquez and Bagnaia follow, Quartararo abandons

Jorge Martin qualified on pole position for the seventh time in MotoGP, the third time since the start of the season with Qatar and the GP of the Americas. He set a new all-time lap record at Phillip Island. This record was the oldest record remaining on the calendar, set by Jorge Lorenzo in 2013.

Martin becomes the second pilot Ducati to qualify on pole at Phillip Island with Casey Stoner in 2008, 2009 and 2010, a last year which is also Ducati's most recent victory on the circuit in the premier category. This is Ducati's 14th pole since the start of the season, extending the Bologna factory's MotoGP single-season record.

Marc Marquez is second, meaning he has qualified on the front row at Phillip Island every year since switching to MotoGP in 2013. He will be aiming for victory for the first time since Emilia-Romagna last year ( 357 days).

Second in the Championship, Francis Bagnaia qualified third, which is the 11th time this year he has qualified in the top 3. He will attempt to become the second Ducati rider to win more than six times in a premier class season, with Casey Stoner (10 in 2007). With Martin et bagnaia, this is the 38th consecutive race with at least one Ducati in the top 3 of qualifying.

Third in the Championship, Aleix Espargaró qualified in fourth position. This is Aprilia's best result at Phillip Island since Jeremy McWilliams' pole position in 2000. Championship leader, Fabio Quartararo, qualified in fifth position. This is the seventh consecutive time that he has missed the first line. He will try to win for the first time since the German GP.

After passing Q1, Johann zarco qualified in sixth position, this is the 14th time this year that he has started from the first two rows. He is still aiming for his first MotoGP victory. Luca marini qualified in seventh position, which is the eighth time since the start of the year that he has started from the first three rows of the grid. He will be looking for his first MotoGP podium, with his best result so far being P4.

Jack Miller qualified in eighth position, his worst qualification since 11th in Catalunya earlier this year – although he was up from seventh in Motegi. He will attempt to become the first Australian to win in the premier class since Casey Stoner in 2012. Miller is still the most recent Australian to win a GP race at this circuit in all categories, with a Moto3 victory in 2014.

What will this have in store for us? Australian Grand Prix 18th round of the season which marks the reunion with the Phillip Island track? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

Phillip Island MotoGP™	2019	2022
FP1	1'38.957 Maverick Viñales (See here)	1'30.368 Johann Zarco (See here)
FP2	1'28.824 Maverick Viñales (See here)	1'29.475 Johann Zarco (See here)
FP3	1'31.338 Maverick Viñales (See here)	1'28.462 Marc Marquez (See here)
FP4	1'31.185 Marc Márquez (See here)	1'28.976 Maverick Viñales (See here)
Q1	1'28.949 Fabio Quartararo (See here)	1'28.132 Johann Zarco (See here)
Q2	1'28.492 Maverick Viñales (See here)	1'27.767 Jorge Martin (See here)
Warm-up	1'29.396 Maverick Viñales (See here)	1'36.804 Johann Zarco (See here)
Course	M. Marquez, Crutchlow, Miller (See here)	Rins, Marc Marquez Bagnaia
All time lap record	1'27.767 Jorge Martin (2022)

Moments after the start of the Warm Up session, a downpour hit the Australian circuit, forcing most drivers to return to the pits after a few laps. Despite the difficult conditions, many riders returned to the track to look for a quick bike setup for a race that will possibly take place in the wet.

At the end of the 20 minutes the fastest was John Zarco which at the start of the session was with the track not yet completely flooded stopped the time at 1'36.804. Behind the Frenchman, the Aprilia of Maverick Vinales and the leader of the world championship fabio quartararo. Fourth beat for Miguel Oliveira who is before alex rins et Jack Miller. Darryn binder surprises by finishing seventh in front Pol Espargaro and the poleman George Martin. Joan mir completes the top ten. Pecco Bagnaia was eleventh in front Enea Bastianini, Franco Morbidelli, Luca Marini et Fabio di Giannantonio. Marco Bezzecchi is further behind and closes with the 20th time. Marc Marquez fell, fortunately without consequence. The Spaniard suffered a high-side at low speed.

Here are the live images. Welcome to Phillip Island!

After the warm up a few hours ago had to take place on a wet track and in light rain, Phillip Island showed its best side again in time for the race. The sun is shining, there are plenty of blue skies to see. As a result, the asphalt heated up to 35 degrees. The air temperature, on the other hand, is only 14 fairly cool degrees. The wind is kept within limits with speeds of around 10-15 km/h.

Now let's move on to the choice of tires, because this should be decisive today. Namely, significant tire wear is expected. It is therefore surprising that Marc Marquez opted for soft at the back. He is currently alone in this area, the Suzuki, Tech3 and Crutchlow use medium, all the others are hard.

At the front, the Ducati, Pramac, VR46 and Suzuki factory riders as well as Nagashima, Gardner and Darryn Binder focus on the medium, all the others on the hard. No one lifted the soft front tire. Five minutes before the start of the race! Last minute changes: Miller, Pol Espargaró, Nakagami et Alex Marquez goes to medium back. Di Giannantonio, Quartararo, Casa Particular in Viñales et Aleix Espargaró on the mid front. Martin switches to hard front tire.

The lights go out on the Phillip Island straight, Martin leaves very well and enters in front of everyone. Marquez second on Aleix Espargaro. Duel immediately between bagnaia et Quarterly, with Fabio who had overtaken Pecco. bagnaia also passes I will spread and is 3rd. Marini 6th behind Quarterly et zarco 18th…

Martin Marquez, Bagnaia, Aleix Espargaró, Quartararo thus complete the first round.

Quartararo heads straight into turn 4. He is 20th. Miller attack bagnaia, but he remains ahead. at this stage, Quarterly is second of bagnaia at 14 points in the championship.

Kidneys is overexcited, here he is fourth. In front Martin, Marquez et bagnaia. bastianini is 16 behind zarco. Kidneys goes 3rd and Brad Binder enters the top 10. The Suzuki driver is undoubtedly the most efficient in this phase of the race. Martin always ahead Marquez. Maverick Vinales fails to get out of 12th position. There is still a fairly compact group on the track.

Miller is hit by Alex Marquez, he seems injured. Bagnaia attack Kidneys but cannot pass.

Quartararo crashes at turn 2… 

Kidneys exceeds Marquez and takes 2nd place. Kidneys attack Martin, but cannot stay ahead. zarco is ninth. A group of eight has now formed at the summit, which goes all the way to Marini. zarco is the fastest driver. He is 1.7s from the lead now held by Kidneys.

There are 13 rounds left and bagnaia takes orders, Marc Marquez understood and passed Kidneys to follow in the wake of the Ducati.

Miller et Alex Marquez are explained.

Zarco, Bastianini et Casa Particular in Viñales are again within reach of the head.

The jokers are Bezzecchi and this devil Brad Binder. Martin iron Marc Marquez. The latter responds, which benefits Bezzecchi who comes second behind Bagnaia. Marc Marquez is third in front Kidneys.

Morbidely fall. It's a disaster for Yamaha official version because Crutchlow et Darryn binder are still 12th and 13th.

bagnaia in front of everybody, bastianini to get over. He is now 7th behind Marini and turns faster than everyone else on the track. The group is still compact, a very open fight for the podium and victory! There are 4 rounds left...

Kidneys et Marquez will pop the cork Bezzecchi which clearly protected bagnaia.

Kidneys et Marquez spend bagnaia. Last round ! And it's Kidneys who wins the bet! In the championship, bagnaia takes control 14 points ahead Quarterly, 27 ahead Aleix Espargaro and 42 on Enea Bastianini. Jack Miller is mathematically out of the game.

Bezzecchi missed the podium, fourth by three tenths, followed by bastianini fifth. Marini in P6, Martin seventh. Alex Espargaró finished ninth behind zarco. Brad Binder completes the top ten. Then follow Pol Espargaro et Olive tree. Cruchtlow is the 13th best Yamaha rider ahead of his teammate Darryn Binder. Gardner gets the last point. Fernandez, Casa Particular in Viñales, Mir, Nagashima et By Giannantonio left empty-handed.

MotoGP Australia Race: standings

Credit classification motogp.com