CycleOnline.com.au takes a closer look at some of the top performances and relative disappointments from round 16 of the 2016 MotoGP World Championship at Australia’s picturesque Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Hit

Source: Supplied.

Cal Crutchlow:
LCR Honda’s Crutchlow accomplished exactly what he intended to do at Phillip Island and that was to win. The British rider displayed promising pace in the earlier sessions over the weekend that were marred by wet weather. Starting from P2, Crutchlow shared multiple positions within the top five throughout the opening laps, although while firmly holding second position prior to mid-race distance, leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) would crash out of the event, allowing him to capitalise on the mistake and control the race to its completion.

Maverick Vinales:
Starting from the fifth row in P13, Team Suzuki ECSTAR’s Maverick Vinales made several valuable passes in the first half of the race to position himself within the top five. As the 27-lap race settled down, the Spaniard maintained his place in the field and took advantage of teammate Aleix Espargaro’s costly mistake in the dying laps which allowed him to move into third position and secure the final spot on the podium.

Jack Miller:
Australian Jack Miller was awarded six championship points following a hard-fought 10th place finish at the Island. The Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda rider engaged in a thrilling five-way battle for seventh, which ultimately ended with four of them crossing the chequered flag within half a second of each other, and it was a vast improvement on his result from last year. Most impressive though was his top five qualifying position at the conclusion of Q2.

Miss

Source: Supplied.

Jorge Lorenzo:
After qualifying in 12th and starting on the fourth row, 2015 MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo struggled to come to grips with the weather produced by Phillip Island. The Movistar Yamaha rider made crucial passes in the opening laps, however as the raced reached the halfway point, the Spaniard mellowed out and remained relatively stationary in seventh position for 13 laps before moving into sixth with five laps to go.

Marc Marquez:
Just one week after being crowned this year’s MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez’s cause for celebration came to a crashing halt with 18 laps to run in Sunday’s race. The Repsol Honda rider was destined for a successful grand prix in Australia after claiming pole position and controlling a third of the race before a damaging mistake in turn four resulted in a premature end to his weekend. Still, it was impressive while it lasted.

Tito Rabat
Teammate to Jack Miller, 2014 Moto2 champion Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda) had difficulty with the trying conditions and a lack of confidence throughout the weekend. Qualifying in a distant 21st position, Rabat’s woes would only continue on race day as he struggled to find a suitable setting, which saw him finish over a minute behind the lead group in 16th and behind Aussie domestic stand-in Mike Jones.