Márquez takes Australian GP pole after qualifying crash

Marc Márquez crashed during wet qualifying at Phillip Island on Saturday, switched to a second Ducati and secured pole position for the Australian Grand Prix with a lap of 1:34.203. Championship leader Jorge Martín qualified fourth, placing the title rivals on different rows for the sprint and race weekend. Márquez lost the front of his bike on his first run and slid onto the grass. He was uninjured, returned to the Ducati garage and changed bikes before setting the fastest time. He said his final lap was an effort to recover from the mistake and that the team had the other motorcycle ready. Alex Márquez qualified second, with Johann Zarco third to complete the front row. Martín was fourth. The top four were separated by less than two seconds, with Alex Márquez recording 1:35.69, Zarco 1:35.70 and Martín 1:35.78. Jack Miller, the leading Australian rider, qualified fifth. Rain and shifting track conditions shaped the session. Zarco had advanced through the first qualifying session and briefly set the pace as the rain eased. Riders returned to the track as conditions changed, and Márquez reclaimed the lead on his final attempt. The starting positions give Márquez an opportunity...