Australian Jack Miller will start from third on the grid at the Japanese MotoGP in Motegi.

Miller, on a Ducati, was third fastest in Saturday’s qualifying at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, 0.137 seconds off the pace.

Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso claimed pole position, clocking one minute, 44.590 seconds, 0.068 seconds ahead of Yamaha rider Johann Zarco.

Honda rider Marc Marquez, with the chance to clinch the MotoGP championship in Sunday’s race, managed only sixth fastest. He will start from the second row.

Marquez, having sealed the 2014 and 2016 MotoGP titles at Motegi, has a 77-point lead over Dovizioso heading into the Japanese race.

Cal Crutchlow, on a Honda, and Suzuki rider Andrea Iannone were fourth and fifth respectively.

Valentino Rossi, the only other rider still mathematically in the title chase, was ninth on a Yamaha.