Marc Marquez, a dominant figure in the MotoGP world, has revealed the physical and emotional challenges he faced during his struggle with injury recovery following a severe break to his right humerus sustained at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix. Despite his strong return in the 2025 season, Marquez’s journey back to racing form was marked by months of intense pain and uncertainty.
After his crash in 2020, Marquez missed the entire MotoGP season, aiming to regain his previous commanding position on the bike by 2021. However, complications arose from the healing process of his broken arm. By 2023, this problem required additional corrective surgery to reposition the bone properly.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Constant Pain
Before undergoing the corrective surgery in 2023, Marquez endured relentless discomfort that affected not only his ability to compete but also his personal well-being. He described himself as “not the same person” because of the ongoing pain, which permeated every moment of his day.
Reflecting on his mood during this difficult time, Marquez confessed,
[I was] angry to my people,
during an interview with TNT Sports. He admitted to tensions with those close to him, including his brother Alex, explaining,
“I was angry to [Alex Marquez], I was answering in a not correct way.”
Living with daily, unrelenting arm pain left him feeling overwhelmed and unlike himself.
He also shared the constant strain he felt, adding,
“In the end, I was always [like the] RPM going up.”
Family Perspectives: Alex Marquez Reflects on the Difficult Recovery
Alex Marquez, who has closely supported his brother throughout the ordeal, described the emotional weight of watching Marc struggle. At times, Alex found the media’s repeated inquiries exhausting, especially when he was asked to speak about Marc’s condition.
In the same TNT Sports discussion, Alex recalled,
“It was the first time that year that I said ‘I will not speak anymore about my brother,’
”
after repeated questioning about Marc’s health. He explained the challenge of balancing public interest with private family matters during those difficult years.
Alex also observed how Marc’s character changed under the strain of persistent pain. He explained,
“He was completely different because he was living with a lot of pain all the days. It was like another person.”
The Decision to Undergo Corrective Surgery
The choice to have another surgery, involving re-breaking and rotating the humerus 33 degrees to realign it, was carefully made by Marc Marquez and supported by his brother. This procedure took place in mid-2023, after months of difficult deliberation.
Alex highlighted the seriousness of this choice, saying,
“When he decided to stop in Mugello 2022 […] it was not a decision that he was making there, it was already a decision that was coming from many weeks,”
reflecting the prolonged internal struggle behind the scenes.
He acknowledged that this step was necessary not only for Marc to resume competitive racing but for his quality of life. Alex said,
“I was the first one to say ‘Do it because you cannot live like this.’ It was not just to come back stronger; it was to live in a normal way, not with pain, not to take every day painkillers and all that.”
Supporting Marc fully, Alex stated,
“I said ‘It will be your decision, you will invest half-a-year of losing this championship, but you will win the rest of your life.’”
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Marc Marquez’s Recovery Journey
Marc Marquez’s grueling MotoGP injury recovery and pain reveal the realities behind the high-speed glamour of professional motorcycle racing. His perseverance through lengthy rehabilitation underscores not only the physical demands of the sport but also the mental and emotional resilience needed to overcome such adversity. As he continues to compete, the lessons from his experience will likely influence how injuries are managed in the future and how athletes cope with the psychological effects of chronic pain.
The full recovery and return of Marc Marquez highlight the essential role of family support and difficult medical decisions in a champion’s journey. Fans and followers can expect Marquez to approach upcoming seasons with renewed strength and a deeper appreciation of his own limits and capabilities.
