05:56
The top five were Zarco, Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, Binder and Martin.
Francesco Bagnaia, Australian MotoGP 20 September
2023 Australian MotoGP: Saturday GP Race - LIVE UPDATES
Gale-force winds forecast for Sunday means the main Australian MotoGP race has been moved forward to Saturday afternoon, swapping places with the Sprint, which now takes over the GP slot on Sunday (weather permitting).
Francesco Bagnaia takes an 18-point lead over Jorge Martin into today's race after the Pramac Ducati rider’s costly fall from the lead at Mandalika last Sunday.
However, Martin will start from pole position after setting a new Phillip Island lap record, with KTM's Brad Binder and reigning champion Bagnaia completing the front row.
Aleix Espargaro, Johann Zarco and Fabio di Giannantonio will form row two with Binder's team-mate and home hero Jack Miller starting between Marc Marquez and Maverick Vinales in eighth.
Last year's Phillip Island winner Alex Rins withdrew on Saturday morning due to pain from his Mugello leg fractures.
Marc Marquez took his only podium of the season in Australia last year.
21 Oct 2023
05:56
The top five were Zarco, Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, Binder and Martin.
05:53
Last lap glory for Pramac Ducati but it's not Martin
Zarco wins. Zarco is finally a MotoGP race winner.
05:52
Zarco leads! Zarco and Bagnaia have come through.
05:51
Last lap
Martin leads by just four tenths.
05:51
Zarco is really helping Martin as he pushes his way through on Binder for second.
05:49
It's 1.6 seconds. Binder is really closing in on Martin with three laps to go.
05:47
Martin is still doing a great job but the four riders behind are now closing at a fairly quick rate. Binder is 2.1 seconds down on Martin.
05:46
5 laps to go
Binder responds. The KTM rider comes through on Di Giannantonio for P2.
05:45
Zarco is through on Bagnaia for fourth place.
05:43
Di Giannantonio just took four tenths out of Martin on lap 21. This might not be over.
05:40
9 laps
Di Giannantonio comes through on Binder for second place.
05:39
Binder and Di Giannantonio have gapped Bagnaia again - Martin leads by 3.3 seconds with 10 laps to go.
05:32
Augusto Fernandez is the next rider to have crashed at turn four.
05:30
Bagnaia is now coming back at DI Giannantonio for the podium places and is bringing Zarco along with him.
05:29
Joan Mir has gone down at turn four after contact with Luca Marini.
05:24
Lap 8
Bagnaia is still fourth but is facing pressure from Zarco and Marc Marquez.
05:20
Lap 5
Martin's lead over Binder is up to 1.3 seconds while Di Giannantonio has pulled a second clear of Bagnaia.
05:19
Lap 3
Di Giannantonio goes through on Bagnaia for third. What a start from the Gresini rider.
05:13
Martin leads coming out of turn one from Binder and Bagnaia.
05:12
And it's lights out at the Australian MotoGP.
05:10
The formation lap is underway.
05:04
Good morning and welcome to raceday at Phillip Island. The grand prix is just five minutes away.
