Aussie Miller 3rd on grid for Japan MotoGP

Australian Jack Miller will start from third on the grid at the Japanese MotoGP in Motegi.

Miller, on a Ducati, was third fastest in Saturday's qualifying at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, 0.137 seconds off the pace.

Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso claimed pole position, clocking one minute, 44.590 seconds, 0.068 seconds ahead of Yamaha rider Johann Zarco.

Honda rider Marc Marquez, with the chance to clinch a third-consecutive MotoGP championship and a fifth overall in Sunday's race, managed only sixth fastest. He will start from the second row.

Marquez, having sealed the 2014 and 2016 MotoGP titles at Motegi, has a 77-point lead over Dovizioso heading into the Japanese race.

Cal Crutchlow, on a Honda, and Suzuki rider Andrea Iannone were fourth and fifth respectively.

Valentino Rossi, the only other rider still mathematically in the title chase, was ninth on a Yamaha.

Dovizioso's pole was only his second of the year and came at a crunch time as the Ducati rider attempts to delay Marquez's crowning as champion.

The Spaniard remains on top of the standings with four races remaining. Each race offers 25 points for a victory.

If Dovizioso wins in Japan, as he did last year, the title race will go into the final three races of the season, starting next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix.

"Our bike works well on this track," Dovizioso said. "It is a good track for my style. The mix is very good. We knew that coming here and then we did what we expected.

"Marc has a very good pace for the race so it is going to be a hard battle."

Reuters