Johann Zarco claims maiden MotoGP victory in Australian Grand Prix as Francesco Bagnaia extends MotoGP title lead

​His Pramac Ducati team-mate and pole man Jorge Martin gambled on a soft rear Michelin for the 27-lap race and led all the way until the final lap.

However, with nine laps to go the warning signs were out for Martin. His tyres were past their best and the chasing pack led by Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Gresini Ducati, were closing fast.

Zarco got past current world champion Pecco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati) for fourth with six laps remaining before disposing of Di Giannantonio on lap 25. On the penultimate lap Zarco moved into second, lifting Brad Binder, on the Red Bull KTM, at Turn 4.

Martin was a sitting duck as the pack set off for a sensational final lap around the iconic Phillip Island track. At Turn 4 Zarco dived past his team-mate with Bagnaia also squeezing through for second. Martin went from first to fifth on the final lap as Di Giannantonio and Binder also capitalised on Martin’s tyre woe.

Again it was an all-Ducati podium but it was Zarco who was celebrating a first win in 120 MotoGP starts.

“It's a good feeling, it's hard to believe," said Zarco, who claimed his first victory after seven years of racing.

“I was surprised to see Martin dropping down and I said something is possible. After so many races I finally won, I have to take in the moment.

"I don’t want to cry at the moment but I think it will come soon.”

With Bagnaia taking second, he opens the gap in the title race to 27 points over Martin.

“I’m very happy,” said Bagnaia. “It was another very difficult weekend from the start but we managed to improve a lot and to be on the podium is fantastic.”

Di Giannantonio was celebrating his first MotoGP podium.

“Honestly I didn’t expect this performance,” he said. “The start was incredible, maybe the best start of my life.

"What a last lap, battling with the best in the game is something incredible.”

Sunday’s Sprint race was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Tony Arbolino won the red-flagged Moto2 race while Deniz Oncu is right back in the title hunt after defeating Ayumu Sasaki in a very wet Moto3 race.