MotoGP champion Marquez’s arm finally starting to heal
Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez’s broken right arm which ruled him out of the 2020 season is now beginning to show signs of healing, according to Honda.
Marquez broke his right humerus in a crash during the latter stages of last year’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez and immediately underwent surgery to have a plate fitted to the bone.
He attempted a comeback just days later at the second Jerez race, but had to abandon it after qualifying as the strain of his efforts damaged the metalwork.
He would require a second operation in August, which would ultimately rule him out for the rest of the season, before undergoing a third surgery in December.
His latest operation had doctors graft bone from his hip to his arm in order to help the healing process, though recovery was delayed slightly by the finding of an infection from his previous surgery.
That operation was thought to come with a six-month recovery period, though Honda until now has remained tight-lipped on Marquez’s rehabilitation.
Marquez recently began training again and has been able to remove the shoulder protection he has been carrying for some time.
However, with six weeks to go until the scheduled start of the 2021 season in Qatar on 28 March, with testing beginning on the first week of March (COVID-19 pandemic permitting), Marquez’s participation still remains in doubt.
Marquez will be joined by Pol Espargaro at Honda in 2021, with the pair set to appear together as HRC riders for the first time on 22 February at the team’s official launch presentation.
In recent months, talk of Honda potentially turning to ex-Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso to sub for Marquez in the opening races of 2021 should the Spaniard remain unable to ride have swirled.
Dovizioso – who is taking a sabbatical in 2021 after losing his Ducati ride – hasn’t ruled out the possibility, while his manager recently said the 15-time MotoGP race winner was ready should Honda make the call.
However, it now appears Honda has put these rumours to bed and will now likely run test rider Stefan Bradl – as it did from Brno onwards last year – should it need a replacement for Marquez.
Related video
Previous article
MotoGP and teams' association sign new five-year deal
Next article
KTM and Tech 3 unveil 2021 MotoGP colours
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Marc Marquez |
| Teams | Repsol Honda Team |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
MotoGP 2021 kicks off in Qatar
Mandalika Circuit update
MotoGP Starting Grid: Doha Grand Prix
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come...
Where does Espargaro sit ahead of Marquez's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice.
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon Prime series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
The key changes behind the latest 'return of the Mack'
Maverick Vinales’s authoritative victory at the MotoGP season opener came during a period of personal and professional change for the Yamaha rider. Can it be the springboard for a title challenge?
Why Lorenzo needs to ditch social media and enjoy retirement
OPINION: Jorge Lorenzo's status as one of the greatest MotoGP riders of all time is hard to dispute. But his constant social media spats with fellow riders and insistence on listing his achievements to his detractors are running the risk of tarnishing a legacy he worked hard to create.
