MotoGP Phillip Island: Rins reigns in Australia

Alex Rins claimed a hard fought first victory of 2022 for both himself and Team Suzuki Ecstar at Phillip Island on Sunday.

With seven riders covered by less than a second at the flag, Rins held out over Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and new championship leader Pecco Bagnaia for a thrilling and well deserved win as Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi claimed best independent rider and the Rookie of the Year title from fourth.

The final race action of the day prepared following a commemorative lap celebrating Australian MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner on his 37th birthday. Prima Pramac’s Jorge Martin lined up on pole position from the seemingly back-in-form Marquez with Ducati Lenovo’s Bagnaia in third. The Italian’s main title rivals Aleix Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo just behind on row two with teammate and local hero Jack Miller launching from eighth for his home GP in factory colours.

The Repsol Honda rider opted for a soft rear tyre gamble with the remainder of the pack split between hard and medium Michelin fronts and just five riders - Miller, Pol Espargaro, both LCR’s and Cal Crutchlow opting for medium rears. Red Bull KTM’s Miguel Oliveira faced a long lap penalty - following his grid demotion to 24th - after Saturday’s sanctions for an illegal practice start ahead of the Q2 chequered flag and disturbing Enea Bastianini’s final flying lap while riding slowly at turn nine.

Lights out for 27 laps and Aleix Espargaro was up to third in the opening action. Pramac’s Johann Zarco swallowed up by the pack as he dropped from sixth to 17th with Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales suffering a similar fate to 13th having launched up the standings off the line. Bagnaia was back through on his rival with Quartararo still in tow as Miller