This is Marquez's first pole with the satellite Ducati team Gresini Racing, having switched from Honda ahead of this season. It also takes his overall career pole haul to 93, with the previous pole coming at the Portuguese GP in March last year.

"Super happy especially because its the first pole position with Gresini... Step-by-step I have more and more confidence. So, yeah, we have to keep the focus... But starting on pole position, the target is to finish on the podium," Marquez said.

Reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia finished seventh at the Circuito de Jerez.

Spanish rookie Pedro Acosta looked on course to grab a fairytale pole but was bumped out after a late crash in Q2. The Red Bull GasGas Tech3 rider will start 10th on Sunday.

The sprint will take place later on Saturday.