Bradl claims he'll see out 2020 season in place of Marquez
Stefan Bradl claims he will see out the 2020 MotoGP season, meaning injured world champion Marc Marquez will not return for the final three rounds.
Marquez broke his right arm in a crash during July’s Spanish Grand Prix at the start of the season and has been out since.
The Honda rider attempted to stage a comeback at the second Jerez race just days after surgery, but was forced to abandon this after qualifying, and subsequently required a second operation when he rebroke the plate in his arm.
Honda confirmed in August he would be out until at least the end of October, though there were rumours he would be back on the bike at either of the Aragon races.
HRC test rider Bradl has been deputising for Marquez since the Czech GP and told Servus TV “it’s a fact” he will see out the final four races of 2020 with Honda.
“So I'm going to finish the season,” Bradl said. “I noticed that yesterday. I don't know if I can say it officially. But it's a fact.
“Marc has to concentrate that everything is going to be okay. I don't think it's worthwhile for him to take the risk of trying anything. He has to get well again.
"In the meantime, there is still a lot of work waiting for me. “After the two Valencia races I'm going to Jerez for a test and then on to Portimao for the finale.”
Honda is yet to comment on this.
Earlier this week rumours surfaced that Marquez would require a third operation on his arm, but Honda dismissed this and stated his recovery was “proceeding as planned”.
Bradl’s best finish of the season came at the wet French GP at Le Mans, when he finished eighth, while teammate Alex Marquez has scored back-to-back podiums at Le Mans and the Aragon GP.
Marc Marquez’s absence from last weekend’s Aragon GP mathematically ruled him out of championship contention, marking just the second time since he stepped up to the premier class in 2013 than he will not be champion.
Suzuki’s Joan Mir currently leads the standings by six points, with Honda’s best runner Takaaki Nakagami on the year-old LCR RC213V 29 points back in fifth.
Related video
Previous article
Teruel MotoGP: Morbidelli tops FP3, all Ducatis miss Q2
Next article
Teruel MotoGP: Nakagami takes maiden pole, Mir only 12th
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Marc Marquez , Stefan Bradl |
| Teams | Repsol Honda Team |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
