Image: Russell Colvin.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez has recorded a thrilling lap in qualifying at Phillip Island’s 16th round of the MotoGP World Championship, earning pole position ahead of tomorrow’s race.

The multi-time world champion lodged a time of 1m28.386s, defeating runner-up Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha), who laid down a 1m28.719s time.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Johann Zarco was a highly-impressive third, finishing just shy of Viñales after lapping a 1m28.744s time.

Fourth was credited to Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) with a time of 1m28.937s, followed by an impressive fifth from Australia Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), who on return from injury charged to a 1m28.964s quick time.

Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was sixth, as the top 10 was rounded out by Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda).

Championship contender Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was 11th ahead of Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), as Australian Broc Parkes (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) pulled through for 21st in his sole appearance with the outfit.

Moto2 remains for qualifying followed by the Supersport 300 support class, with racing scheduled to take place tomorrow at the Victorian venue.