MotoGP: Marquez skips Brno round, Bradl steps in
The Repsol Honda MotoGP team has confirmed that Marc Marquez would not be able to take part in this weekend’s Brno round of the coronavirus-delayed 2020 MotoGP season.
Marquez suffered severe injuries at the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez while fighting his way back to the podium following an earlier off-track excursion that saw him drop from first to 16th. The Spaniard has suffered a broken arm that needed an operation at Barcelona. The 27-year-old made a sensational comeback at the next race weekend’s Andalucia Grand Prix, but had to withdraw during the qualifying session due to his pains.
In the meantime, Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo won both opening races at Jerez, meaning that Marquez is now trailing the young Frenchman by a 50-point deficit. The Spaniard was set to come back at this weekend’s Brno round, but Repsol Honda has now confirmed that Marquez will miss at least one more race.
The Cercera-born rider has undergone a second operation on his injured right arm and has decided against making a return in the Czech Republic in order for him to recover more.
HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will step in for Marquez, riding his Honda RC213V. In 2019 the former Moto2 World Champion competed in four MotoGP races with a best finish of 10th at the German GP. Bradl has claimed three top ten finishes at Brno from his seven starts in the MotoGP class and only once missed out on points.
Bradl is looking forward to his outing with the Repsol Honda team at Brno, but he admitted that he has not tested recently which could make the beginning of the weekend difficult.
“ It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to, competing with the Repsol Honda Team is always a great honour and I am pleased to help Honda First of all I want to wish Marc a speedy recovery, what he did in Jerez was incredible and he showed that he has the true spirit of a champion.
„I am looking forward to riding the Honda RC213V again, due to the global pandemic we have not been able to test as we would normally so it will take some time to adjust to the bike and MotoGP again but I have ridden the superbike a few times so I know my fitness is good.
