Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez secured a record 66th pole position in all classes by topping the timesheets in qualifying for the Argentina Grand Prix.

Defending MotoGP champion Marquez trailed Qatar Grand Prix winner Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) in free practice but found extra pace to take outright leadership in career poles from Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo.

The Spaniard beat off competition from Aspar rider Karel Abraham - who secured a place on the front row for the first time in his career - and Crutchlow to ensure he will start from the front in Argentina for the fourth successive year.

Marquez clocked a time of one minute and 47.512 seconds in a dominant performance that primes him perfectly for a third victory at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo.

Danilo Petrucci (Pramac Racing) took fourth position, while Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) – who both edged out Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) in Q1 after difficulties in a rain-blighted third practice earlier on Saturday – came either side of championship leader Vinales in sixth.

It was a day to forget for three-time champion Lorenzo, who will start 16th after failing to progress from Q1.

Suzuki Ecstar rider Alex Rins continued to show commendable courage to compete with a fractured ankle, but he will start Sunday's race from last place.