Spain's Martin claims pole, smashes lap record ahead of Moto GP, Aussie Miller to start 8th

15th October, 2022

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15th October, 2022

Spaniard Jorge Martin has obliterated the lap record at Phillip Island to secure pole position for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The Ducati rider topped the mark set by legendary countryman Jorge Lorenzo back in 2013 with a blistering qualifying lap on Saturday.

Martin, who had never raced at the Victorian circuit until Friday, clocked a lap of 1.27.767 to claim pole ahead of resurgent MotoGP icon Marc Marquez.

“Yesterday I was quite lost” ????️ – @88jorgemartin

It was only his second day on a premier class machine around this place so to be on pole is incredibly impressive! ????#AustralianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/gj6IloNPMN
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) October 15, 2022

“He (Lorenzo) won’t be super happy, but for sure it’s time to beat those records because the bikes are much faster now,” Martin said.

“I was a bit lost (on Friday) because this track is so fast, so first time here, but today I had a good pace.”

The six-time champion also beat Lorenzo’s previous record despite suffering a scare midway through the session.

Marquez pulled off a masterful save, keeping his Honda upright after looking set to crash, steering the bike into the grass.

A three-time Australian GP winner, Marquez is the reigning champion at Phillip Island after taking the chequered flag the last time the race was staged back in 2019.

Title contenders Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo qualified in third and fifth respectively.

Australian Jack Miller will start his home GP from eighth on the grid despite an impressive session, the first since turn four at the famed island was named in his honour on Saturday.

IT'S POLE AT PHILLIP ISLAND FOR JORGE MARTIN! ????

He pips Marc Marquez by just 0.013s, with Pecco Bagnaia 0.186s behind in third.

Who is your pick for victory on race day? ????#MotoGP #AustralianGP #Motorsport #LiquiMoly #Ad pic.twitter.com/qkEN5AaHsF
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) October 15, 2022

The in-form Miller is looking to breakthrough for his first MotoGP win on home soil after finishing third in the race three years ago.

GRID FOR AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

1. Jorge Martin (Spain)

2. Marc Marquez (Spain)

3. Francesco Bagnaia (Italy)

4. Aleix Espargaro (Spain)

5. Fabio Quartararo (Italy)

6. Johan Zarco (France)

7. Luca Marini (Italy)

8. Jack Miller (Australia)

9. Marco Bezzecchi (Italy)

10. Alex Rins (Spain)

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