Australian MotoGP: Top 5 quotes after qualifying
Marc Marquez takes fourth consecutive Phillip Island pole position
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
| Pos. | # | Rider | Bike | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 93 |  Marc Marquez |
Honda | 1'28.386 | |
| “I’m happy because I felt good in every session and in every condition. We found good speed for the single lap, but we were also able to keep a good rhythm in the practices, which is what really counts for the race. I think that the work we did in the FP4 session was important. I was also very comfortable in qualifying, but I encountered some traffic at some points. I understand that the slipstream is important here, and it’s okay if some other guys follow during the practices, but in qualifying I obviously preferred to ride alone. I just waited a bit before exiting for my second flying lap and then I had the chance to do a really good lap. I’m happy with this pole but the race is tomorrow. It’s true that Dovi is a bit behind on the grid here, but also at Motegi he was only ninth! We just have to wait and see how the weather is tomorrow, as it seems it will be unstable like today. Then I’ll try and give my 100% and push from beginning to end.” | |||||
| 2 | 25 | Maverick Viñales |
Yamaha | 1'28.719 | 0.333 |
| “Honestly, this was a better result than I expected. Especially in FP4 I didn‘t feel so good on the bike. I didn‘t feel as great as I did in the winter tests, because the tyres are different, especially the front. During qualifying, in the second run, I felt good and felt I could push, so I‘m happy about that. We have been struggling a little bit this weekend, but I think we found a way now and we will try to give our best tomorrow. For sure we will be hoping for dry conditions, but we are finding ways of improvement in the wet, so I‘m happy that today‘s practice sessions helped us learn a lot. Tomorrow I‘m going to ride my own race. For sure I will push and apply pressure to my main rivals if I can, and do my best.” | |||||
| 3 | 5 |  Johann Zarco |
Yamaha | 1'28.744 | 0.358 |
| “After qualifying third, I have high expectations for tomorrow and I hope to stay with Marquez and Viñales in the race. I think that they are going to be the two strongest riders and they will fight, plus, I’m sure that Viñales will want to take the opportunity to win the GP. If I can follow them and battle for the podium, it would be fantastic. As for my pace, it was quite positive and I was happy to use the medium tyre in FP4 and I felt good on it. Now we will wait and see what happens with the weather tomorrow but I am confident that we can have a great 27 lap sprint.” | |||||
| 4 | 29 |  Andrea Iannone |
Suzuki | 1'28.937 | 0.551 |
| “We have been working positively in the last races, but we still suffer with many problems. I’m satisfied for today’s result, but at the same time I can’t say we’re getting the results I want. On one hand this disappoints me, but on the other I’m happy because only a few races ago I was very far behind. The progress we’ve made gives me a lot of confidence and this is important. For tomorrow I still have many doubts; I don’t really know what to expect. I know I can be fast in the first part of the race until the tyres get worn, then we will need to see how capable we are of managing the electronics for the tyre consumption and the spin. This will be the key. My pace is good, but we will have to see what happens after the 15th lap.” | |||||
| 5 | 43 |  Jack Miller |
Honda | 1'28.964 | 0.578 |
| “I am really happy with my condition and feeling on the bike just three weeks after my injury. I love Phillip Island so it is really cool to be going fast at my home track. Fifth place is a good spot for me in the race and I’m hoping to make a strong start and hook-up with the top group, I feel I have the race pace to do that. Once I’m on the bike my leg is not giving me any trouble and I think it will be good for the race, I’m ready to go.” | |||||
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