Marc Marquez claims record MotoGP pole in Malaysia

Marquez (Repsol Honda) became the first rider to notch 13 poles in a single season with his performance at the Sepang International Circuit, notching the fastest time ahead of team-mate Dani Pedrosa and Movistar Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

In the second qualifying session, Marquez and Pedrosa were the only riders to break the two-minute barrier, with the former stopping the clock at one minute, 59.791 seconds.

Pedrosa was just 0.182secs behind, while Lorenzo set a time of 2:00.203.

Marquez wrapped up a second consecutive world title in Japan two weeks ago and seemed to relax in Australia last week with another pole.

While he could not turn that into victory - crashing out at Phillip Island - Marquez will be looking for his 12th win of 2014 at Sepang, which would in turn equal Mick Doohan's record of race victories in a premier-class season.

Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) claimed fourth with 2:00.472, while Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso was next in qualifying, 0.231secs further back.

Last weekend's winner, Valentino Rossi, who remains second overall, was sixth.

Earlier, Pol Espargaro broke a bone in his left foot during practice, but was lucky to escape even further injury as his bike caught fire.

The fire was caused by a piece of glass on the track that punctured Espargaro's radiator.

While Espargaro still hopes to race on Sunday - he qualified 12th fastest - Andrea Iannone had to pull out of the race after injured his elbow in a fall following contact with Marquez on Friday.