Iannone is favorite in Australia

(Motorsport-Total.com) – The smooth circuit of Phillip Island has often led to exciting races with many overtaking in the leading group. Although Marc Marquez has won pole position in Australia for the fifth time in a row, the world champion sees another rider in the favorite role: "Iannone, his pace is faster." This is the opinion of most other drivers. The Suzuki driver is pushed into the favorite role given his times in free practice.

In the partially wet qualifications, Iannone did not reach the front row. From fourth place to second line is his starting position but also very well. "It looks like Marquez and Iannone have a little more than anyone," said Valentino Rossi, who will finish seventh from the third row. "So come Maverick, Zarco, Dovizioso, Rins and I. It will not be easy." Can Iannone really win her first win with Suzuki on Sunday?

"It's a shame," said Iannone after the somewhat chaotic qualifying session, "not to have realized the potential, because there was a good chance for pole position, but it is important that I have a good pace tomorrow and a good rear tire.We are in a better position than usual for the last laps.It is very important. "The tire decision will fall between the soft and hard mix. It all depends on the cool temperatures of Sunday.

Alex Rins: "Iannone is still late in the race"

Alex Rins is in fifth place of the second Suzuki rider. More recently in Japan, he made him smarter than Iannone and found himself on the podium while Iannone was crushed. "Iannone is always quick at training, but then he is late in the race," said Rins against his teammate. Iannone responds with a smile to this statement: "I'm not fast in the race, we'll see tomorrow."

At the fourth training session, Iannone was able to roll the hard back tire several laps in a time of 1: 29, while the competition struggled to pbad under the 1:30 mark. "I've been riding on Iannone," says Rossi, "and he's faster than me, he's feeling better and stronger, and Marquez is also fast, we'll see it was the best race of the year." season last year, I hope I'm in this group. "

Johann Zarco: "Marquez is the favorite"

Is Iannone the big favorite of victory? Everyone does not see it that way. "Marc remains the favorite, even if he had problems," said Johann Zarco, third on the grid. "When I was behind him, I saw him control the situation, he has the potential to badyze everything, and if Iannone can leave, Marc will try to stay tuned." Marquez was able to improve the behavior of the RC213V with his crew. He felt much better Saturday.

With the World Cup title in the bag, Marquez can drive and attack without pressure. "No, I feel like every weekend," he says. "I would like to have a better idea of ​​the bike because we had trouble all weekend, I attack as usual, seen in my falls, I work for the race, it does not Do not forget that it's not finished with the pole, so I still have an extra motivation. "

And what role will Yamaha play?

Both Yamaha drivers Maverick Vinales and Zarco, starting from the front row, also want to have their say in the podium awards. Vinales is waiting for a big leading group: "I am satisfied because on a track where the bike counts less, we are there and I can fight for the top." Because of the characteristics of the track, Phillip Island could be the best chance for Yamaha to win one more race this year.

And for Zarco, it is also the independent trophy of the pilots in a private team. "Cal had a great race in Japan and had a points advantage, including Danilo, we are all coming out of our own little championship and I think I have the chance to get on the podium because it's a special track. Anyway, my place in free practice may not be enough for the podium, but I'm close, I'm much stronger than in Japan, I'll see tomorrow if I can cross the last step and get on the podium. "