Repsol Honda star Marc Marquez is a step closer to a fourth MotoGP world title after claiming pole position for the Australian grand prix on Phillip Island.
The Spaniard scored his 44th MotoGP pole with his last lap in a thrilling qualifying session on Saturday in which his main championship rival, Ducati Team's Andrea Dovizioso, struggled to 11th place on the starting grid.
Top local hope Jack Miller will start on the second row on Sunday after qualifying fifth on his Marc VDS Honda - equalling the career-best MotoGP start he achieved at Phillip Island in 2016.
After rain lashed the circuit on Saturday morning, qualifying took place in sunny and dry conditions, which allowed Marquez to post the fastest time of the weekend in the dying seconds.
Sunday's race could be pivotal in the championship battle with Dovizioso trailing Marquez by 11 points with three races remaining.
"I'm really happy for this pole position because we are in a very important moment of the season," Marquez said.
"It wasn't easy because I had some traffic in the first part ... but I found a really good lap time.
"We will see what we can do in the race but the most important thing is finishing on the podium and in front of Dovizioso."
Miller's qualifying performance continued a stunning return to the track after he broke his leg three weeks ago.
The 22-year-old is racing with a plate and eight screws inserted just below his right knee, but hasn't missed a beat in his return after missing the Japanese MotoGP.
"I always want to challenge, especially when I come home to the island, but even this is exceeding that," Miller said.
"I'm really happy. I've felt good since I first got here and it's just been going from strength to strength."
Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi will start from seventh on his Movistar Yamaha.
Rossi's factory Yamaha teammate, Maverick Vinales, overcame a high-speed crash on Friday to qualify second, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completing the front row in third.
Former world champion Jorge Lorenzo suffered a sprained ankle in a crash on Saturday morning and will start from 16th on his factory Ducati.
Broc Parkes, the only other Australian on the grid, will start from 21st on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 he is riding for the unwell Jonas Folger.
Italian Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) claimed pole position on the Moto2 starting grid, while Spaniard Jorge Martin (Del Conca Grisini) scored his eighth Moto3 pole position of the season.
