Image: Russell Colvin.

Monster Yamaha Tech3 guest rider Broc Parkes improved to 21st in qualifying at the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix this afternoon.

The Endurance World Championship regular lowered his personal best of the weekend to a 1m30.889s in qualifying one, gaining critical mileage in the lead-up to Sunday.

“Every time I get on the Yamaha YZR-M1, I feel more comfortable and I make bigger steps forward,” Parkes recalled.

“In qualifying it was dry and it was the first time that I felt like the bike was together with me. The gap to the guys that I am battling with is smaller now and for the race tomorrow I think that I can improve lap by lap and I hope I can fight for a top 15 finish.”

Parkes’ qualifying result in the rapid sessions this afternoon will see him start out of the seventh row of the grid tomorrow, ahead of grand prix mainstays Alvaro Bautista (Aspar Ducati) and factory Aprilia pilot Sam Lowes.