MotoGP: Miller nabs maiden pole on slicks in Argentina

Despite the rain having ceased by the time MotoGP qualifying commenced at Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo prior to the Sunday’s race in Argentina, the 14-turn 4.8-kilometre (2.98-mile) course remained treacherously damp.

Neither wet conditions nor Spaniard Marc Marquez’s (Honda) dominating practice sessions could detour Australian rider Jack Miller (Alma Pramac), who rode to a rather shocking maiden pole position on a set of slicks on Saturday with a time of 1:47.153s followed by Spaniard Dani Pedrosa (1:47.330) of Repsol Honda and Frenchman Johann Zarco (1:47.365) of Tech3 Yamaha to complete the front row grid of the 24-rider field.

The feat was almost not to be when the 23-year-old Ducati rider, who is fresh off a 10th-place finish in Qatar, nearly bit the pavement in Turn 10 on the penultimate lap, but was able to stay in control and secure the fastest time with a blistering pace thus denying Pedroza his 50th career pole.

Miller finished 11th in last year’s overall seasons standings, which was his third straight ascension in the final points rankings.

“Last year I set my goal of finishing inside the top 10 for the season and didn’t quite make it, but it’s hard to factor in things like injuries and whatnot,” he told Red Bull media after the pre-season test in Malaysia. “So staying injury-free is a goal, and breaking 100 points for the season for the first time is too. Whatever happens after that, I’ll take it.”