Espargaro takes pole for Catalunya MotoGP

Suzuki riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales surprise in qualifying for the Catalunya MotoGP.

Suzuki's Aleix Espargaro set the pace in MotoGP practice for the Grand Prix of Catalunya. (AAP)

Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales gave Suzuki a surprise one-two finish in Saturday's qualifying session for the Catalunya Moto Grand Prix.

Espargaro earned his second career pole in the top category after setting qualifying record lap of 1 minute, 40.546 seconds at the 4.7km Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit.

Vinales was less than a second slower, followed by Jorge Lorenzo on his Yamaha.

Honda's two-time defending champion Marc Marquez will start Sunday's race from fourth, while points leader Valentino Rossi was seventh fastest qualifier on his Yamaha.