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Gallery: 2018 MotoGP at Phillip Island Saturday Wrap

By Bike Review • 7 years ago

Oct
2017

Saturday Wrap, Michelin Australian Grand Prix... AGPC, Pics: John Inness, Richard Collins, Gabrielle Matthews

Day Two Wrap of the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017

On-Track:

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has taken pole by 0.333 from Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) for tomorrow’s Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017 after dominating in changable conditions
The real racing shock of the day came when Marquez’s main rival for the World Championship, Italian Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) had a day that he’d rather forget after finishing in eleventh place, presenting Marquez with a huge opportunity to move away from his only rival for this year’s title
Aussie rider, Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) pulled out all the stops and will impressively start from the second row of the grid qualifying in fifth.
The other Australian in the field, Broc Parkes (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) will start from 21st position on the grid. However, there were encouraging signs as his lap times improved the more time he spent on the bike
Last year’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) crashed during qualifying and will start from tenth in today’s race

MotoGP – Free Practice 3 Results:

MotoGP – Free Practice 4 Results:

Moto2 – Qualifying Results:

Moto3 – Free Practice 3 Results:

Moto3 – Qualifying Results:
1 Jorge Martin | SPA | Del Conca Gresini Moto 3 | Honda | 1’37.030
2 Gabriel Rodrigo | ARG | RBA BOE Racing Team | KTM | 1’37.248
3 Joan Mir | SPA | Leopard Racing | Honda | 1’37.411
…Tom Toparis | AUS | Cube Racing | KTM | 1’42.218

Off-Track:

The BMX Stunt Show was a popular fan destination on Day Two with the Freestyle Now crew wowing fans with their trademark high-energy moves and stunts at Lukey Heights

Perpetual crowd favourite, the RAAF F/A-18 Jet, put on a jaw dropping aerial reconnaissance with all attendees pausing to look skywards to marvel at its power

Tomorrow (Day Three) of the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017 will see some star power added to the Paddock with Sally Pearson (Australian Olympic Athlete), Mack Horton (Australian Olympic Swimmer), Gregorio Paltrinieri (Italian Olympic Swimmer), Tim Cahill (Australian football player), Matthew Kruezer (Carlton FC player), Matt Wilson (Neighbours actor), Travis Burns (Neighbours actor) and Shane Delia (Celebrity Chef) all set to attend

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott

“Day two has delivered some exceptional on track action and provided the estimated 27,400-strong crowd of MotoGP™ faithful a display of skillful and competitive racing. Reigning MotoGP™ World Champion, Marc Marquez, has given himself the best chance to take out the Phillip Island title after claiming pole position for tomorrow’s main race.”

“Our very own Jack Miller delivered an impressive performance in Qualifying today to finish in fifth position, just 0.578 seconds behind Marquez and no doubt the home crowd will be rallying behind him tomorrow!”

“Fans will be lucky enough to see the riders put it all on the line tomorrow at the business end of the season, with the battle between Marquez and Dovizioso fiercer than ever with only 11 points separating them in the World Championship standings.”

“The stage is set with perfect weather conditions for the riders to battle it out across MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ with all three World Championships up for grabs. A thrilling day of action both on and off the track is expected and ticketing options are still available for purchase at motogp.com.au.”

Estimated Attendance Figures:

27,400, highest Saturday attendance since 2012 (Casey Stoner’s last year racing).