Bagnaia into title lead after Quartararo crashes out as Rins wins Australian Grand Prix

World title leader Quartararo crashed out on the 11th lap after an early mistake saw him fall back in the pack. Quartararo's non-finish makes it three races out of four with no points, with his title grasp slipping away, after the front went from underneath him on Turn 2.

Bagnaia claimed third place which moved him to 233 points, 14 ahead of the Frenchman, although it could have been more after the Ducati driver surrendered his lead on the final lap.

Rins and Marc Marquez swooped on the final lap to pass Bagnaia, with the top seven all finishing within eight-tenths of a second at the Phillip Island Circuit.

The boys and girls in light blue are BACK ON THE TOP STEP! @Rins42 with the most EPIC VICTORY! #AustralianGP ?? pic.twitter.com/SbeHMbFIlY

— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 16, 2022

If Bagnaia had held on for the win, he could have claimed the title with victory in the penultimate race in Malaysia. Instead, reigning champion Quartararo remains in contention.

Rins' triumph is the third of his career and his first of the season. It is also his third podium this year but first in 14 races.

Marquez's second-place finish brings up his 100th podium in the premier class, ending a long wait after surgery on his humerus in June.

Ducati's Marco Bezzecchi came in fourth to clinch the 2022 Rookie of the Year, with Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini and Jorge Martin rounding out the tightly contested top seven.

Jack Miller had been in contention early on his home track but was taken out to end his world title hopes by Alex Marquez with 19 laps to go.

UNBELIEVABLE! QUARTARARO IS OUT OF THE RACE! @FabioQ20 's title hopes ARE FALLING APART! #AustralianGP ?? pic.twitter.com/A2tjEhLOEV

— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 16, 2022

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) 233

2. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) 219

3. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) 206

4. Enea Bastianini (Gresini) 191