Marc Marquez OUT of Czech MotoGP, could miss next 3 races

Marc Marquez will miss a second MotoGP World Championship round in succession after he was ruled out of this weekend’s Czech Republic MotoGP in Brno due to another operation on his fractured arm, with reports suggesting he will be forced to miss all three MotoGP events in August. 

The Spaniard’s participation in the third round of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship season was thrown into doubt when it emerged he had gone back under the knife to correct damage in a titanium plate that was inserted into his arm during the first operation.

While Honda was at pains to point out there was no further complication with the arm fracture itself, Marquez would nonetheless require another 48-hour stay in hospital.

Now Honda has confirmed Marquez won’t compete in Brno this weekend with test rider Stefan Bradl being drafted in to replace him and join Alex Marquez in the team.

“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,” Bradl – who competed in the Czech MotoGP last year as a deputy for the injured Jorge Lorenzo – said. 

“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. 

“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. Let’s see how the weekend goes.”

The absence represents a major blow to Marquez’s title defence, not least because his non-score in round one and DNS in round two - coupled with two victories for Fabio Quartararo - means he is already 50-points adrift of the Frenchman overall.

Moreover, reports in Spanish publication El Periodico - traditionally a reliable source of information when it comes to reporting on the Marquez family - suggest the six-time MotoGP champion is considering skipping the following Red Bull Ring double after that too in order to make a full recovery.

Such a move - which would see him fail to score in five consecutive rounds - would almost certainly rule him out of the 2020 MotoGP title fight.