Marquez on pole for Australian MotoGP

PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia: Newly-crowned world champion Marc Marquez’s gamble on using slick tyres under the threat of rain paid off on Saturday when he stormed to pole position for this weekend’s Australian MotoGP here.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, on a Repsol Honda, posted the fastest lap of one minute 30.189 seconds amid threatening rain to start on the inside of the grid for Sunday’s race.

British Honda rider Cal Crutchlow was second, ahead of Spain’s Monster Yamaha racer Pol Espargaro with both to start off the front row with Marquez.

Lorenzo could only finish 12th in Q2, some 6.6 seconds behind Marquez, while his Movistar teammate and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi failed to make it into the final qualifying session and will start 15th on the grid for Sunday’s race.