Honda confirms Marquez’s operation was successful
The Repsol Honda Team has announced that it will not replace Marc Marquez who has endured a high-speed crash during last weekend’s season-opening race at Jerez.
The 2020 MotoGP season was put on hold by the coronavirus outbreak when the teams were unable to travel to the season-opening race at Qatar due to travel restrictions. Following the long shutdown period, MotoGP managed to get the season going last weekend at Jerez where Yamaha’s satellite team’s young sensation, Fabio Quartararo scored his maiden MotoGP victory. However, the season-opening race created some drama with Marc Marquez, Cal Crutchlow and Alex Rins all suffering severe injuries.
Starting from the third place, Marquez was leading the race ahead of Maveric Vinales when he made a mistake in Turn 4, going off the track. While he could save his bike while going through the gravel trap, he slipped back to the 16th position. The 27-year-old rider was adamant to fight his way back up to the front. After setting the fastest lap times while overtaking his rival, Marquez found himself back in P3 and challenged Vinales for the second spot on the rostrum.
However, the six-time MotoGP champion went wide at Turn 4 again, but he could not save the wild moment this time, high-siding immediately, and he was subsequently launched through the air at tremendous speed.
The Spaniard was diagnosed with a broken right humerus and travelled to Barcelona on Monday to the Hospital Universitari Dexeus. Dr Xavier Mir and his team in collaboration with Dr Barrera performed an open reduction and internal fixation of a titanium plate to the right humerus. The question was whether the radial nerve has also been affected by the crash, but the doctors confirmed that it was untouched and did not need intervention.
Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig has confirmed that the operation was successful. He said: “Everyone who races in the World Championship has the unfortunate possibility of getting injured and having to go to the operating room. Unfortunately, it was our turn and it was Marc who has had to undergo surgery.
„Marc will take some time to recover, but we are happy with how everything has gone. Doctor Mir and his team have taken care of the entire situation since the fall and performed a successful operation. This gives the Repsol Honda Team a lot of motivation, knowing it went well, but now we have to be patient to see how Marc recovers and to understand when he can return.”
The LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow also suffered serious injuries during the warm-up session just hours ahead of the season-opening race at Jerez. The 34-year-old Briton has also undergone an operation aimed at his injured wrist. Puig has revealed that Crutchlow will participate in the first practice session at the Andalucia Grand Prix, trying to asses his physical condition and make a judgement whether he can compete in the second round of the season.
“Cal Crutchlow also had an operation that went well and in principle, his intention is to test the wrist on Friday. We are optimistic about his participation in the Grand Prix.
“This weekend we will be focused on Alex, helping him to take another step forward. When you are young and new in a category, every week you improve and grow. We hope he can close the gap to the front of the race,” the Spaniard added.
Puig could not answer the question when Marquez can make its return to the race tracks, but according to the newspaper El Periodico de Catalunya, the eight-time champion is not ruling out returning to Jerez for this weekend's Andalusian Grand Prix following his successful operation.
