Spain’s Marc Márquez has recovered from a nightmare start to sensationally claim a fourth Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix victory.
Having fallen back to 13th after wheel-spinning off the start line, six-time world MotoGP champion Márquez produced a flawless ride and finally overtook countryman Jorge Martin with four laps remaining at Phillip Island on Sunday.
Martin fought back in a tense sprint to the finish line but had to settle for second behind Márquez.
Márquez is third on the championship standings, sitting behind leader Martin and Italian Francesco Bagnaia, who finished third at Phillip Island.
After a horror start, Márquez quickly hauled down the pack in the first few laps, setting a MotoGP lap record at Phillip Island of 1.27.900.
Australian favourite Jack Miller improved from 15th on the grid to finish in 11th position.
Miller recorded his worst qualifying result at the Victorian racetrack after hitting a rabbit, before a seagull strike hampered his bike in Saturday’s sprint.
Maverick Vinales made a miraculous recovery to finish eighth after a high-speed crash with Marco Bezzechi in the sprint race.
Bezzechi was handed a long-lap penalty by stewards for running into the back of Vinales and fell further back when crashing out on lap five.
Thailand will host the next stop in the MotoGP championship next weekend.
AAP
