Aleix Espargaro takes pole in Catalunya Grand Prix

Spanish rider Aleix Espargaro clinched the MotoGP pole at the Catalunya Grand Prix on Saturday, just ahead of team-mate and compatriot Maverick Vinales.

It's a Suzuki one-two for Sunday's race, confirming the rise of the Japanese manufacturer this season.

Espargaro had retired in the two previous Moto GP races, in France and Italy, but it was a different story in Catalonia as he took his first pole of the season.

It's just the second ever pole position for the eldest of the Espargaro brothers after Assen last year, and the first time that Suzuki has won pole since 2007.

Espargaro set a new lap record on the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona - going round in 1:40.546. That was enough to beat Vinales by 0.083 seconds and Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo by one tenth of a second.

Spain's Marc Marquez, the two-time reigning champion, was fourth while current leader, Italian Valentino Rossi, was seventh.  
Source: AFP