Saturday 18 October 2014 12:35, UK
Recently-crowned MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez secured pole position for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix with Britain’s Cal Crutchlow qualifying second.
Marquez posted a fastest lap of one minute 28.408 seconds at Phillip Island to secure his 12th pole of the season – equalling the record held by Casey Stoner.
The Spaniard, 21, will now look to secure his first-ever premier class victory at the circuit in Victoria, some 90 miles south of Melbourne.
Crutchlow, on his factory Ducati, finished 0.234 seconds behind Marquez, with Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo taking third a further eight-hundredths of a second back.
"I'm really happy to be on the pole after winning the title in Japan," Marquez said.
"It will be a tough race tomorrow especially Yamaha (Lorenzo), they are very strong and they have a good pace.
"But I was able to ride well, I was consistent, and we are ready to fight for the victory tomorrow."
Lorenzo is locked in a battle with Marquez's Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi for second place in the championship, with the trio currently separated by just three points with three rounds left.
