Source: Supplied.

Townsville talent Jack Miller soared to a career-high fifth on the grid for Sunday’s Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in a brilliant Phillip Island homecoming.

The 21-year-old jumped onto the front row as the chequered flag flew in the final qualifying this afternoon, but was bumped to fifth by the Spanish Espargaro brothers in the dying moments.

Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda’s Miller has made a huge impression once again this weekend throughout practice and qualifying, the Assen race winner on target to challenge at the front in Sunday’s 27-lap affair.

“It’s a good starting position, but I’m not totally satisfied because I could have done a better time if I had not run onto the kerb on the exit of the final corner,” Miller commented. “There was some water there and I had a lot of wheel-spin and lost a lot of time.

“But I feel good for my home race, I’m starting a lot closer to the front than I usually do. The weather is always unpredictable so you can’t believe the forecast of a dry race, but I’m ready for anything. Wait and see.”

Miller has been historically very strong at Phillip Island, winning the Moto3 grand prix during his breakout 2014 campaign in which he finished runner-up in the world championship. Upon his MotoGP debut at home last year on the Open bike he was 15th.