Marc Marquez‘s shoulder injury sustained during the Indonesian MotoGP appears to have been caused by a step at the edge of the Turn 7 gravel trap, according to his former teammate Joan Mir. The crash occurred on the very first lap when Marquez, the recently crowned world champion, was hit from behind by Marco Bezzecchi as the Ducati rider tried to regain positions after a poor start from pole.
Details of the Incident and Resulting Injuries
After being struck by Bezzecchi, Marquez fell from his Honda and slid at high speed across the asphalt run-off area before crashing into a raised part of the gravel trap. This impact is believed to have caused damage to his right shoulder and collarbone, likely leading to a fracture. Joan Mir, who was following closely, expressed concern not only for Marquez but also for Bezzecchi, who subsequently hit the same gravel trap step while still on his bike and was thrown off in a similar manner.
Safety Concerns Raised Over Gravel Trap Design
It was very dangerous, from what I saw. Not just because of the ‘step’ that Marc hit, which he probably broke whatever it is, the collarbone, for this reason,
said Mir, highlighting the severity of Marquez’s injuries.
“It was also Bezzecchi. I was worried for Bezzecchi, because when he was on the bike, he hit that step, and he went into the gravel super fast.
So I don’t really understand why we have gravel [there]. Because if we just have asphalt, it will be much safer for us.
Bezzecchi thankfully avoided serious harm and later apologized for causing the crash. Marquez is now en route to Madrid for additional medical assessments to determine the best course of treatment.
Reflections on Race Conditions and Risks
Nobody wants these things to happen… And in that part, it’s super high speed,
Mir added, explaining the difficult nature of that section of the track.
Probably Bezzecchi didn’t expect the speed [difference with] Marc and then he hit him.
These things can happen, but this time it was very dangerous.
Alex Marquez, Marc’s brother also voiced concerns regarding the gravel trap’s hazards, while underlining the toll that fatigue and the long duration of a 40-plus race season can have on rider safety.
Implications for Rider Safety and Track Design
The injury to Marc Marquez underscores ongoing debates about the safety of gravel traps in high-speed sections of MotoGP circuits. Both Joan Mir and Alex Marquez’s observations point to the necessity of reconsidering track runoff design, especially where uneven surfaces or steps exist near areas where riders may need to recover from crashes. As Marquez undergoes further testing in Madrid, the incident may prompt officials and teams to review safety protocols to prevent similar accidents in future events.
