Motorsport: Marquez takes big step towards title

Marc Marquez during practice for the 2017 MotoGP of Australia at Phillip Island. Photo / Getty Images

Repsol Honda star Marc Marquez has one hand on the 2017 MotoGP world championship trophy after he claimed a brilliant win at the Australian grand prix.

The Spaniard took the lead at Phillip Island with seven laps to go and cleared out to score his sixth win of the season, opening up a 33-point gap on main rival, Ducati Team's Andrea Dovizioso, who finished 13th.

Movistar Yamaha pair Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales finished second and third respectively, while local favourite Jack Miller led his home race early before finishing seventh.

"It was an amazing race ... and I'm happy with the victory, but I'm happier to have a 33-point (championship) lead," Marquez said.

"That makes me smile more.

"I knew before the race that this was an important day.

"(The other riders) were aggressive to me but I was playing the same cards. It was dangerous and I was trying to take care for the championship.

"A crash or zero points would have been a disaster, but with eight laps to go it was time to attack and I was able to open a small gap that makes my life a little easier."

Marquez has the chance to claim his fourth MotoGP world title in Malaysia next week or in the final round of the season in Valencia.

The notoriously volatile Phillip Island weather that saw the Moto3 race red- flagged when rain lashed the circuit cleared with the MotoGP race run in bright sunshine.

A lead group of eight riders battled it out throughout the enthralling race with Johann Zarco, who finished fourth on his Monster Yamaha, Vinales and Rossi also leading at different stages.

"I enjoyed that very much ... this track is unbelievable and it was a great race," Rossi said after he claimed his 17th podium finish in 21 starts at Phillip Island.

"All the riders up the front were very aggressive so I needed to be more stupid than them and more aggressive.

"But it was great to get on the podium and I am very happy."

Pole-sitter Marquez led into turn one, but Miller - who broke his right leg just three weeks ago - soon made his move and was a surprise race leader on his Marc VDS Honda for nearly five laps.

"It was an amazing race to a be a part of and be up there dicing for top spot," Miller said.

"It was a solid weekend all around - nearly top-five in every session - so I'm pretty happy with the performance of the team and the bike."

Australian Broc Parkes, a replacement rider for Monster Yamaha Tech 3, finished last.

In Moto2 action, Miguel Oliveira scored Red Bull KTM Ajo's maiden win in the category, while Leopard Racing's Joan Mir won the Moto3 race to claim the 2017 world title.