Image: Russell Colvin.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez topped the time-sheets in a dry FP3 at the 2018 Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, however Andrea Iannone’s (Team Suzuki Ecstar) benchmark from Friday will see him lead into Q2 this afternoon.

Fresh from clinching this year’s crown last weekend in Japan, Marquez posted a 1m29.714s despite a minor fall to head Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) and Australia’s own Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing), with Iannone fourth.

Fifth-fastest to open today’s action was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha), followed by Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda), Johan Zarco (Monster Energy Yamaha Tech3), Alvaro Bautista (Ducati Team) and his teammate Andrea Dovizioso. Second of the Aussies Mike Jones (Angel Nieto Team) improved his time to 1m32.988s in P22.

On combined times, it’s Iannone who is quickest entering qualifying, from Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) – only 17th today – as well as Vinales, Dovizioso and Zarco. Each of those riders set their best times yesterday in FP2, with Marquez’s lap from this morning placing him sixth overall.

Image: Russell Colvin.

The weather cleared for Moto2 FP3 as the intermediate class got a full dry session under their belts ahead of qualifying, with Marcel Schrotter (Dynavolt Intact GP) topping the time-sheets after setting a 1m34.143s.

Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was second quickest on Saturday morning, the Spaniard 0.232s off Schrotter’s benchmark, with title contender Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) third.

Augusto Fernandez (Pons HP40) completes the final practice session in fourth, with Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing) rounding out the top five on-board his KTM chassis.

Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) ended the session down in P18, however the Italian sits fifth fastest on the combined times. None of the top 14 riders improved on their fastest Friday times, which leaves Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) sitting top of the pile despite a major fall today. Remy Gardner (Tech3 Racing) was 12th, Bryan Staring 24th in FP3.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) set the quickest time of a wet Moto3 session this morning.

His 1m46.898s was enough to edge out teammate and championship leader Jorge Martin by 0.044s.

The closest challenger to the Honda duo was Darryn Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the South African in third.

Detailed results