MotoGP: Marc Marquez to make his return at the Aragon Grand Prix

Marc Marquez will make his return to MotoGP this weekend at the Aragon Grand Prix after being given the green light by his medical team.

The Repsol Honda has been out of action since the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello on May 29, when Marquez opted to undergo a fourth operation on his right humerus. Marquez’s recovery has been a success and he rode his RC213V MotoGP bike for the first time since his operation at the two-day Misano Test last week.

Whilst admitting to suffering, more than enjoying the return, Marquez was happy with the improved feeling of his right arm. Marquez completed 100 laps and was just over half-a-second off the leading pace. He was also the fastest Honda rider.

Marquez visited Aragon’s karting circuit with a production Honda CBR 600 for another evaluation before announcing his decision to come back to racing.

“As you can see, I’m smiling, which means I’ll be at the Aragon GP – racing, of course,” Marquez said in a video posted on his Instagram page. “After talking to the doctors and the team, we have decided that the best for my recovery is to continue on the bike, adding up kilometres for next year.

“Doing it in the Aragon GP in front of all the fans is priceless. I’m sure your support will help me go through the whole weekend. Looking forward to Friday, to being on the bike and to go full gas!”

The latest three-hour procedure, which took place at the Rayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, involved the extraction of Osteosynthesis material from Marquez’s shoulder, and a humeral osteotomy to increase the external rotation movement of his right arm, whilst maintaining shoulder stability.

Today’s statement from HRC reads:

“110 days after he last raced a MotoGP machine at the Italian Grand Prix on May 29, Marc Marquez will return to competition at the Aragon Grand Prix. Since undergoing a successful fourth operation on his right humerus, the eight-time World Champion has followed the strict guidance of his medical team in order to facilitate a full recovery.

“After numerous check-ups, consultations, and tests, all involved are satisfied with the recovery made and the #93 will now take the next step in his rehabilitation – returning to competition.

“The objective for the weekend will be to continue improving Marquez’s bike fitness and assessing his performance during the intensity of a Grand Prix weekend and race. Born in Cervera, MotorLand Aragon can truly be considered a home circuit for Marquez and the home fans have always helped buoy his on-track performance.”

Marquez finished second at Aragon last season despite giving everything he could to defeat Francesco Bagnaia.

Despite missing eight races this season, Marquez is still the leading Honda rider in the championship (15th). Honda are bottom of the Manufacturers’ Championship and has just one podium this season – Pol Espargaro’s third place in the season opener in Qatar.

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MotoGP: Honda provide update on Marc Marquez’s recovery

First published: 10 August 2022 by Josh Close

Honda has released an update on the recovery of Marc Marquez, three months after he underwent a fourth operation on his injured right arm.

This three-hour operation, which took place at the Rayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, involved the extraction of the osteosynthesis material from Marquez’s shoulder, and a humeral osteotomy to increase the external rotation movement of his right arm, whilst maintaining shoulder stability.

The operation was deemed to be a success by Dr. Joaquin Sanchez Sotelo, with no complications reported by the surgeon.

In the initial weeks afterwards, Marquez rested and underwent light physiotherapy, but his routine has now intensified with frequent visits to the gym, not only to maintain his fitness levels, but to now strengthen his right arm.

Marquez is doing all of this whilst working closely with his team of doctors, physios and advisors, with the entire process being carefully monitored and managed.

“His current training regime focuses on running, swimming, and resistance training in the gym with elastics, the HRC statement added. “Each week weight and resistance are slowly added to increase strength without putting too much demand on the body.”

Marquez explained: “Step by step I am feeling better, and the bone is healing in a good way, which is the best news of all. We are still in rehabilitation move; I am working very hard on the cardio side to try and be ready. At the end of August, I have another medical check, from there we can make another step with the rehabilitation and really start pushing and building muscles.

“Some days are better than others, but this is all part of the journey. I’m optimistic, but I don’t want to say too much about timings until we have this check – it’s not the time to push too much. I have waited a long time for these kinds of feelings.

“It has been a struggle, it’s not two days or two months I have been struggling, It’s two years. I won some races last year like this, but I was struggling a lot. In Jerez I realised something had to change.

“It was hard and is hard now mentally – not because I am not racing, but because you always have this doubt about the arm. I can’t have another operation. I am convinced this one will be good, but these thoughts are always there in the back of your mind.”

It’s also been confirmed that Marquez will be at the Red Bull Ring, Austria, next weekend to speak with his Repsol Honda team regarding the development of the RC213V and the difficulties that they and the manufacturer are currently facing.

Despite only competing in six races this year, Marquez is still the highest-placed Honda rider in the championship in 14^th (60 points). Takaaki Nakagami, Pol Espargaro and Alex Marquez are in 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th respectively with a combined total of 114 points.

“Honda is in a critical moment,” Marquez continued. “I am speaking a lot with me team and trying to understand the 2022 bike, the situation, and what is happening. This is why I will go to Austria, to speak to everybody and to meet with the HRC staff from Japan to work for the future. We are all working together, we win together, we lose together, and we will come back together.

“I’m speaking a lot with Stefan Bradl as well, us and Santi [Hernandez, Chief Mechanic] are working together and testing things – both know how I ride. I said in Mugello that I will be at home, but I want to stay connected. With the previous operation I disconnected too much, and I want to be involved so that when I come back, I will have everything fresh.

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Marc Marquez’s fourth arm operation deemed a success by his surgeon

First published: 3 June 2022 by Josh Close

Marc Marquez has undergone surgery on his right humerus for the fourth time and the procedure has been deemed a success by his surgeon.

The Repsol Honda rider revealed the decision to have another operation following the conclusion of qualifying at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Doctors gave him the go ahead only 24 hours prior after being satisfied that the humerus bone was strong enough for the operation.

Marquez broke his right humerus in an accident during the 2020 season opener at Jerez. He had surgery a couple of days later but attempted to make a return just four days later at the same circuit, damaging the titanium plate which had been fitted during that procedure.

Two more operations followed and an infection to the fracture prolonged and further complicated Marquez’s rehabilitation period. The third operation involved a bone graft from his hip to the affected area in his arm.

This latest three-hour operation, which took place at the Rayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, involved the extraction of osteosynthesis material from Marquez’s shoulder, and a humeral osteotomy to increase the external rotation movement of his right arm, whilst maintaining shoulder stability.

The complex procedure was performed by Dr. Joaquin Sanchez Sotelo and his medical team, and has deemed a success without complications.

“Today we had the opportunity to operate on the right humerus of Mr. Marc Marquez,” Dr. Sotelo said. “The procedure was completed in approximately three hours. Despite the complexity of the procedure, the final outcome was satisfactory.

“Surgery consisted in removing the proximal two screws of the posterior plate previously placed by Dr. Samuel Antuña on December of 2020, followed by a rotational humeral osteotomy.

“Such procedure involves creating a transverse cut of the humeral bone to rotate the humerus along its long axis. The amount of rotation performed today was approximately 30 degrees of external rotation. The humerus was stabilized in the new position using an anterior plate with multiple screws.

“Surgery was completed uneventfully. We would like to wish Mr. Marquez a swift recovery and a successful return to his professional career.”

The eight-time world champion will now remain in the United States to ensure his “immediate post-operative recovery before returning home to continue his treatment plan.

At this stage it’s not known how long Marquez will be out of action for, but the Spaniard won’t want to return to racing unless he’s 100% ready and healthy enough to do so. A 2023 return is most likely at this stage.

HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will take his place at the Catalan Grand Prix this weekend, but Honda has not confirmed whether or not Bradl will keep the seat for the foreseeable future.

Keep reading below to find out why Marquez has chosen to take time away from MotoGP in order to undergo this latest operation.

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MotoGP: Marc Marquez set for racing hiatus after confirming fourth arm operation

First published: 28 May 2022 by Josh Close

Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez will undergo a fourth operation on his right arm next week in Minnesota, United States.

Repsol Honda boss Alberto Puig and Marquez revealed the news in a special press conference held after qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix – a session which included another big crash for Marquez in mixed conditions. The operation is possible now because the humerus bone is strong enough to go through the procedure, which will also focus on Marquez’s shoulder.

Puig explained that this latest procedure, which will take place on May 31 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, will involve the extraction of osteosynthesis material from Marquez’s shoulder, and a humeral osteotomy to increase the external rotation movement of his right arm, whilst maintaining shoulder stability.

Marquez originally broke his right arm at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix, but tried to return only a few days after surgery and damaged the titanium plate in his arm as a result. Another two operations followed, with one causing an infection which prevented the arm from healing correctly.

Marquez missed the entirety of the 2020 season and the opening two rounds of 2021. The Spaniard went on to win three races, but suffered a concussion and second bout of diplopia after a training accident and missed the final two races of the year. Another big highside during practice for the Indonesian caused the double vision to resurface, meaning that Marquez missed another two races.

“Since I had the first surgery on my arm everything has been complicated and the infection was the worst thing,” Marquez said in today’s press conference. “The doctors did an amazing job to take care of that and recover my bone.

“That was a success, but after I came back, I felt a big limitation with my arm. I’ve realised this season that I’m not enjoying it, I’m just suffering a lot. I have a lot of pain; I don’t have much power and cannot ride like I want. I’ve started to injure my left shoulder as well because I’m pushing too much with my left arm.”

Marquez has not been on the podium this season and has a best finish of fourth at Jerez. He finished sixth at Le Mans two weeks ago, benefiting from other riders crashing ahead of him.

Overall, it’s been tough for Marquez not only due to his physical condition, but also having to work with and try to adjust to what is essentially an all-new RC213V bike. Both factors have caused Marquez to try and adapt his regular riding style.

There’s no timescale yet for his return, but Marquez admitted that he knew this was the right time to go ahead and have surgery once again.

“I don’t have any idea [with regards to a return date] because my doctors have told me that after surgery, we’ll go step by step, but it will of course be a long time. The reason that I’m doing this now is because for me, this is no way to ride.

“I’m suffering too much; I’m not enjoying it and every weekend it’s a nightmare just to keep pushing. I have some ups and downs, I know I can be on the podium at some circuits, but it’s not the way I want to ride because I’m creating more injuries and so I cannot keep riding like this.”

The last 18 months have been incredibly tough for Marquez. Three operations on his right arm, a concussion, two cases of diplopia and several massive highsides is a lot for anybody to take. All of this occurred after two back-to-back shoulder operations in the previous two years as well.

One thing is for certain though; Marc Marquez isn’t one to give up…

“Always one of my strong points is being strong in the mind, and believe me, if I didn’t have this character during this time, I’d have just given up. But, if you want something, you need to push and you must believe.”

Once the post-operative period has been completed, he will return to Spain to begin his recovery. Doctors will then assess Marquez’s condition and his recovery period.

Whilst nothing has been confirmed yet, it’s highly likely that HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will take Marquez’s place for the foreseeable future.

The news comes after another crash during Q2 at Mugello this afternoon. In mixed conditions, Marquez was attempting to get clear of the pack and get a lap-time in before any rain fell, but suffered a highside at turn two. He was able to walk away, but his RC213V was left in pieces and also caught fire.