Phillip Island (Australia), Oct 27 (IANS): Spanish rider Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) on Saturday clinched his sixth pole of the year ahead of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix race.

Marquez, seven-time World Champion, was the fastest in the qualifying 2 at the Phillip Island circuit with a time of one minute and 29.199 seconds, winning the 2018 BMW M Award, reports Efe.

"It was difficult to understand the way to push," the Spaniard said.

The drivers completed a series of laps and realised the asphalt was in better shape than expected. They all pushed hard but Marquez returned to the spotlight.

The final minutes were intense but the Spaniard did not give up and battled to recover the first place, while his compatriot Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha) did his best to come behind Marquez.

France's Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) finished third in the Q2, while Italian Andrea Iannone (Suzuki Ecstar) and his Spanish teammate Alex Rins came fourth and fifth respectively.

Australian Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) finished sixth, ahead of seventh-placed Italian Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha).

Marquez was at the top of the standings with 296 points, followed by Andrea Dovizioso on 194 and and Valentino Rossi on 185.