Marc Marquez could be a doubt for the Thailand MotoGP after a huge crash during first free practice at the Chang International Circuit necessitated a visit to hospital.
The runaway MotoGP championship leader – who can wrap the title up this weekend provided he out-scores Andrea Dovizioso by only two points – suffered a high-side in the closing stages of the FP1 session at Turn 7.
Losing the rear-end of his Repsol Honda, Marquez was pitched into a high-side and came down heavily, requiring attention from the marshals before he was helped to hit feet and he limped away.
Taken to the medical centre for initial checks on a stretcher, Marquez was transferred to a local hospital where he underwent checks to his leg and back.
Despite the violence of the crash – which destroyed his Honda RC213V - his team manager Alberto Puig says he is ‘OK’ and will attempt to ride in FP2 later today.
Big accident for Marquez, who looks to be hurt.
#ThaiGP #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/wLZS0Q1Xu4
— CRASH.NET/MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 4, 2019
"Marc had a big crash as you all saw. Fortunately, he's okay. He went to the medical centre and then hospital to check everything. They did an MRI and everything looks fine," team manager Alberto Puig, told Crash.net.
"Of course, he has some contusions in the back and the leg but nothing to be worried about. He was lucky, fortunately.
"He will have some treatment, go out [in FP2] and try to continue the plan."
Puig blamed the incident on a dirty rear tyre catching Marquez out as he was attempting to go for a quick lap in the closing stages. Maverick Vinales recorded the quickest time for Yamaha.
Medical Info @marcmarquez93 has been transferred to Buriram Hospital for further check in the left leg and back.
#ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/uzD4PBQh7f— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 4, 2019
