Image: Russell Colvin.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez has taken a pivotal victory at Phillip Island’s 16th round of the MotoGP World Championship, which proved to a be thrilling race throughout.

Marquez controlled the 27-lap affair for much of the duration while the chaos unfolded behind him, with multiple position changes occurring from second through to fourth right to the very last lap.

At the flag it was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) who narrowly claimed second over teammate Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha), followed by Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), who was just pipped at the line. The Yamaha trio put on an incredible display which saw tight and fierce racing right to the very end.

LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow rounded out the top five in fifth ahead of Andrea Ianonne (Team Suzuki Ecstar), who also battled for second in the dying stage, as Australian favourite Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) recorded an impressive seventh place finish.

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pulled through for eighth, while it was Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who were ninth and 10th respectively.

It was a disaster of the day for championship contender Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), who finished up 13th, damaging his title hopes in the process.

Marquez leads the standings by 33 points as two rounds remain, with the next stop on the calendar scheduled for next weekend at Sepang in Malaysia.