MotoGP: Zarco wins epic Australia GP at Phillip Island

Johann Zarco has taken his maiden MotoGP win in an epic Australian GP that saw the race leader for 26 of 27 laps, Jorge Martin, slow on the last lap.

Martin had opened up a lead as big as almost four seconds on the chasing group that included Zarco, Fabio Di Giannantonio, championship leader Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia and Brad Binder, but was being run down in the final few laps of the Phillip Island race.

“He is a passenger, a sitting duck,” Moto GP commetator Matt Birt said of Martin, whose lead was evaporating by the sector.

“Martin may miss the podium. He won’t even finish on the podium, the rear tire has destroyed itself

“Zarco could be taking the victory. What an incredible last lap here, high drama in Phillip Island. You can throw a blanket, a tissue, over the top five.”

Zarco crossed the line in first, just meters ahead of Bagnaia, to cap off a drama-filled Australian Grand Prix.

After being eight corners away from victory, Martin was overtaken by all four of the chasing group to fall agonizingly into fifth, despite having had a strangle hold on the entire race.

“That was a showstopper; that was a heart-stopper,” Birt said after the checkered flag.

Race Results

Point Standings