World champion MotoGP rider Marc Marquez has claimed pole position for the Argentina Grand Prix in a damp second round of qualifying at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
The Repsol Honda rider beat out Czech Pull&Bear Aspar's Karel Abraham and the United Kingdom's Cal Crutchlow, who competes for LCR Honda.
Prior to the start of Q2, a star-studded group of riders were forced to do battle in Q1 after poor showings in the practice sessions.
Italian seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi of Yamaha Motor Racing overcame the conditions to post a time of one minute 49.421 seconds, good enough for second place behind Spanish Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa and a spot in Q2.
But Spanish three-time champion Jorge Lorenzo's struggles continued on Saturday, as he and Italian Ducati teammate Andrea Dovizioso finished third and sixth, respectively, and will start far back on the grid on Sunday (Monday AEST).
Australia's Jack Miller will start from 17th on the grid.
