MotoGP: Marc Marquez ruled out of Argentina Grand Prix after undergoing hand surgery

Marc Marquez will miss the second round of the 2023 MotoGP season in Argentina after undergoing hand surgery on March 26.

The Repsol Honda rider sustained a broken first metacarpal in his right hand following his collision with Jorge Martin and Miguel Oliveira in the opening Grand Prix of the year at Portimao.

Marquez lost control of his RC213V on the run into turn three on the third lap of the race, running into Martin’s right leg before violently colliding with the helpless Oliveira, who was left injured on the ground for a period afterwards. Marquez later explained that he locked up under braking.

Oliveira suffered bruising but it’s not thought that he has suffered any broken bones. Meanwhile, Martin was able to re-join but later crashed out. The Spaniard later revealed that he’s sustained a fractured toe.

“Upon returning to Spain for further checks, Marc Marquez was diagnosed with a displaced intrarticular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal of the thumb of the right hand,” a statement from HRC said.

“The #93 immediately underwent surgery at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid with Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña leading a team consisting of Dr. Samuel Antuña and Dr. Andrea Garcia Villanueva.

“The surgery consisted of a closed reduction of the fracture and internal fixation of the same with two screws and passed without incident.

“Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have elected for the eight-time World Champion to miss the next round of the World Championship to fully focus on recovery and arrive at the forthcoming rounds in the best possible condition.”

Marquez, who was on the receiving end of boos from the Portuguese crowd after ending their hometown hero’s race, was handed a double long-lap penalty for the race in Argentina, however this now becomes void due to his absence.

Surgery means that once again Marquez will not complete a full MotoGP season. The six-time premier class champion hasn’t done so since 2019, having undergone four operations on his right arm since breaking his humerus at Jerez in 2020. Marquez has also been troubled by double vision problems.

It’s not yet known when Marquez will be able to return from this latest setback, but the team won’t replace him in Argentina.

Marquez joins Pol Espargaro and Enea Bastianini on the injured list. Espargaro suffered multiple fractures to his jaw and back, as well as a severe trauma to his lung, after a crash during FP2. Meanwhile, Bastianini broke his collarbone after being hit by Luca Marini in Saturday’s sprint race.