Aussie Miller grabs Argentine MotoGP pole

Jack Miller will start the Argentine Grand Prix from pole position after a massive tyre gamble paid off for the Australian.

Jack Miller

Australian rider Jack Miller's gamble paid off in ARgentina with his maiden MotoGP pole. (AAP)

Australian Jack Miller snatched a surprise first MotoGP pole position after a high-risk tyre gamble paid off at the Argentine Grand Prix.

The Pramac Ducati rider opted for slicks on a drying track while most of the big names decided to stay on wet weather tyres, and seized the top slot in the dying seconds at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.

Miller, who did two qualifying laps on wets before returning to the pits and asking for slicks, was the first independent Ducati rider to take a pole position in the top-flight.

"It wasn't me. I was just hanging on," Miller said of his performance.

"I was a passenger. When you're on wet with slick tyres... you've just got to hang on and hope to God you make it to the other side."

Honda's Spanish veteran Dani Pedrosa was second fastest with Frenchman Johann Zarco a close third for the non-works Tech3 Yamaha team.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez, Pedrosa's teammate and the race favourite, will start in sixth place while Ducati's championship leader Andrea Dovizioso qualified eighth.

"I decided to try the slick tyres but it was too risky," Marquez said.

"As soon as I exited the pit I realised that if I touched the wet side of the track the risk of crashing was great.

"It's a pity we're not on the front row but I'm happy because I think we've worked well this weekend."


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Source: AAP



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