Image: Russell Colvin.

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix ended up being a lonely one for Broc Parkes in his one-off showing with Monster Yamaha Tech3.

Called in to replace Jonas Folger at the 11th hour, the 35-year-old brought home the satellite M1 in 22nd position at the duration of Sunday’s race.

It wasn’t the race Parkes was hoping for as he returned to MotoGP following a number of seasons focusing on the World Endurance Championship, however he was thankful for the opportunity made by Yamaha to compete in Australia over the weekend.

“I just did not have the rear grip from the start,” Parkes commented. “Maybe it was because I didn’t have a lot of track time this weekend, so I struggled a little bit. In the race, I thought I could stay with the Ducatis and [Sam] Lowes, but unfortunately I dropped back from them.

“However it was hard to come back and I rode on my own for a while. I wanted to do better, but I’m happy to have completed my home grand prix and to have ridden here in front of everyone. Thank you to Hervé [Poncharal] and the entire Monster Yamaha Tech3 team for giving me this opportunity.”

While Parkes was able to remain on the lead lap of what was a 27-lap thriller at the front, he trailed 21st place finisher Danilo Petrucci by nine seconds at race’s end.