SA's Binder settles for P4 in Australian MotoGP thriller as Zarco takes the win

France's Johann Zarco won a thrilling Australian MotoGP on Saturday with a last-lap overtake to clinch a maiden victory ahead of Francesco Bagnaia, who stretched his world championship lead.

South African Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder finished P4, crossing the finish line just 0.8 sec after Zarco.

"I think we had a strong race even if that was not the result we wanted. We also made huge progress if we look at how we went here last year," Binder said.

The Pramac ace passed teammate and world title contender Jorge Martin in a nail-biting finale to take the chequered flag just 0.201sec clear of Italy's Bagnaia on his Ducati.

"To cross in first after so many races, it is really high emotion," said Zarco. "I don't want to cry at the moment, but I think it will come."

Gresini rider Fabio Di Giannantonio came third at a blustery and overcast Phillip Island.

Oh that one hurt. ??

BUT WHAT A RACE from @BradBinder_33 to finish 4th across the line. We were SO close there, Bru! ??

Well done, team! ??#KTM #ReadyToRace #AustraliaGP ???? pic.twitter.com/fxXW2Gfcer

A cooked tyre

Pole-sitter Martin led for 26 laps of the 27-lap race, but his soft rear tyre was cooked at the death and he couldn't hang on as grip deserted him.

The Spaniard ended fifth in a setback to his world title hopes, with Bagnaia now 27 points ahead with four grand prix left in the 20-leg season.

At least the rain stayed away during the gruelling test after the grand prix was brought forward a day to avoid forecast wild weather.

The 13-lap sprint has been shifted to Sunday, but will only take place if safe to do so, with rain and wind gusts of up to 65km/h expected.

Martin won the sprint in Indonesia last week, but crashed out of the main event to hand Bagnaia victory, and with