Iannone can show speed in Australian Grand Prix

Australian Grand Prix
BT Sport 1, 5am Sunday

The MotoGP title was secured by Marc Marquez in Japan last week but he's showing no sign of easing up in Australia and is odds-on race favourite after taking pole.

However, qualifying was disrupted by rain and it looks worth backing the rider who Marquez says should be favourite for the race.

Andrea Iannone has not finished higher than third in any event this season but he looked the man to beat in practice at Phillip Island, going fastest in the second session and again in the Saturday warm-up.

He couldn't get a clear lap in the best conditions in qualifying and starts fourth on the grid but if he can bring his practice pace to the race he should be in the battle at the front.

If the Italian Suzuki rider needed any extra motivation it has been provided by his teammate Alex Rins, who starts fifth and claimed after qualifying that Iannone "goes backwards in the races".

Maverick Vinales should also be aiming to challenge Marquez but British star Cal Crutchlow will miss the race and possibly the rest of the season after injuring his ankle in a practice crash.

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