French Monster Yamaha rider Johann Zarco has secured pole position for the first time in his career with a stunning performance in the second round of qualifying for the Dutch MotoGP.

Zarco posted a best time of 1 minute 46.141 seconds in the second qualifying session at the TT Circuit Assen in Assen on Saturday, to narrowly beat out Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez, who clocked a 1:46.206.

Two Italian riders, Octo Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci and Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, finished third and fourth, respectively.

Italian Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso, winner of the last two MotoGP races, finished ninth.

But his teammate, Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, had a day to forget at the so-called “Cathedral” of motorcycling, failing to make his way out of the opening session and having to settle for a distant 21st spot on the grid in Sunday’s race.

Zarco’s stunning result marks the first time this MotoGP season that a non-Spaniard has secured pole position. Marquez, his teammate Dani Pedrosa and Movistar Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales claimed the top qualifying spot for the first seven races.

Vinales (111 points), who will start 11th in the race, narrowly leads the 2017 MotoGP riders’ standings with seven of 18 races completed, just seven points ahead of Dovizioso.

The riders third through fifth in the standings are closely bunched together: Marquez (88 points), Pedrosa (84) and Rossi (83).