HEARTBREAK FOR MILLER IN CLASSIC LAST LAP THRILLER

Jack Miller’s 2022 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix ended in heartbreaking fashion, while Alex Rins scored a classic win in a last-lap thriller that could have a huge say on the direction of the world championship.

Australia’s home hero was putting on a show, rising from eighth to third inside the first five laps, but he did not see the chequered flag after being taken out by Alex Marquez ironically at Miller Corner.

Despite Miller’s race only lasting nine laps, the big crowd could not take their eyes off the action as a stunning fight for the lead played out, while Fabio Quartararo lost his championship lead due to a costly crash at Southern Loop.

Marc Márquez, Alex Rins and Francesco Bagnaia shared the lead across a stunning second half of the race and the latter looked set to a championship-changing win when he started the last lap in front. 

But Rins made a bold move in the final tour of Southern Loop and he managed to hold off the valiant Marc Márquez and Bagnaia, who all celebrated their feel-good podiums with a simultaneous shoey.

The race delivered action from start to finish as just 5.940s covered the top 10, which is the second smallest margin in Premier Class history.

Australia’s Remy Gardner got to as high as 13th before finishing in P15.

Marc Marquez, Alex Rins and Francesco Bagnaia, celebrate their special Australian Grand Prix podium in style. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images)

With the sun shining on more than 40,000 people, Phillip Island produced the perfect stage for MotoGP to make a three-year return to Australia and an unforgettable race played out.

Poleman Jorge Martin enjoyed a flying start and established a lead he did not relinquish until lap 14, while Bagnaia bogged it down, but managed to recover to third.

It did not take long for Miller to impress, as he made three moves in as many laps at MG in a charge to the front from P8.

He tried to make it four in a row challenging Ducati teammate Bagnaia for third, but could not quote pull it off.

After being on the attack for the first seven laps, Miller was forced to start defending and could not stop Rins from flying past as the Suzuki rider launched his ultimately successful counterattack.

The Australian dropped from the podium positions to seventh by lap 9 when his home race came to a sudden conclusion.

Miller headed into the corner named in his honour minding his own business, before being wiped out by an out of control Alex Marquez.

The younger Marquez lost control in the braking area and carried straight into the rear end of the innocent Australian, who was heartbroken to be taken out on home turf.

A big crowd came out to watch home favourite Jack Miller at Phillip Island, but his race only lasted nine laps after a heartbreaking crash. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images)

“I was doing everything I could and the bike felt mega, but then I got slammed in the rear. It came out of nowhere and there was nothing I could do,” said Miller to Fox Sports.

“I feel like I have been run over by a motorbike and devastated to finish the home Grand Prix like this after three years not being here.”

Another high-profile rider, who experienced misfortune was Yamaha’s Quartararo.

The Frenchman nicknamed “El Diablo” came into the race with a two-point championship lead, but that is now evaporated.

Quartararo’s tough day started with a costly mistake running off at Miller Corner which dropped him from P6 to P22 on lap 4.

But worse was to come when the Yamaha star lost the front end at Southern Loop and crashed out on lap 11 to make it three pointless returns in the last four races.

Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo lost his championship lead after crashing out at Philip Island. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images)

Despite his arch rival Quartararo crashing out, Bagnaia did not hold back in his pursuit for victory.

Martin had led the first half of the race, but dropped to fifth within a couple of corners, leaving the Marc Márquez, Bagnaia and the charging Rins to fight for the win.

The trio shuffled up and down the order with multiple daring high-speed moves, but Bagnia managed to hold onto the lead heading into the final lap.

But less than a tenth of a second covered the entire top three as they crossed the line and the Ducati rider could not stop Rins and Marc Márquez from diving down the inside at Southern Loop.

With a championship lead to protect, Bagnaia held onto third ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Enea Bastianini, leaving #42 and #93 to duel for the win.

Marc Márquez had managed his soft front tyre to perfection and was all over Rins in the final third of the lap, but had to settle for second in his 100th career MotoGP podium.

It allowed Rins to enjoy his first victory in more than two years and give Suzuki a sweet win in its third to last race before leaving the sport at the end of the year.

While the crowd was dejected for Miller and Suzuki was ecstatic for Rins, the big storyline was Bagnaia running away with a 14-point championship lead, having been 91 behind Quartararo just eight rounds ago in Germany.

After an Australian Grand Prix to remember, the championship heads to Malaysia where Bagnaia and Quartararo will resume their championship fight next weekend before the season finale at Valencia.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.