Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will be sidelined until November following a shoulder injury sustained during a crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The Ducati rider fractured his right collarbone after colliding with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi on lap one and will miss the upcoming Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix as he undergoes recovery.
Details of Marquez’s Injury and Medical Assessment
Marc Marquez, 32, returned to Spain late Sunday to consult with medical professionals at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid. Doctors diagnosed him with a fracture at the base of the coracoid process accompanied by a ligament injury in his right shoulder. Despite the fracture, there was no aggravation of previous injuries or severe bone displacement found during examinations.
Dr. Samuel Antuna and Dr. Ignacio Roger de Ona advised that surgery was unnecessary. Instead, they recommended a treatment plan centered on rest and immobilization to allow proper healing.
Recovery Timeline and Race Absences
Following expert advice, Ducati confirmed that Marquez will miss the Australian and Malaysian rounds of the MotoGP calendar. The team expects the Spaniard to potentially resume racing at the Portuguese Grand Prix in November. Marquez himself emphasized the importance of respecting the recovery timeline.
“Fortunately, the injury isn’t severe, but it’s important to respect the recovery timeline,”
said the rider.
“My goal is to be back before the end of the season, but without rushing things beyond the doctors’ recommendations.
Both my personal and the team’s main goals have been achieved, so now the priority is to recover properly and return at 100%.”
— Marc Marquez, MotoGP World Champion
Context of the Crash and Marquez’s Recent Career Milestones
The collision with Marco Bezzecchi occurred on the first lap of the Indonesian Grand Prix, amid high tensions during the race. Marquez regarded the incident as a typical racing accident and appealed for calm following criticism aimed at Bezzecchi on social media. The Aprilia rider avoided serious injury and is set to face a stewards’ investigation during the Australian event.
This latest injury comes just one week after Marquez secured his seventh MotoGP world title and his first championship in six years, a remarkable comeback after a severe arm fracture that had affected him since 2020.
Marquez’s guarded approach toward this injury reflects lessons learned from his previous long-term arm issue, as he chooses not to rush his return to competition.
Team Plans and Next Steps
While Ducati has not yet announced a replacement rider for the immediate upcoming races, test rider Michele Pirro is the likely candidate to fill in. Pirro has not participated in wildcard entries this season due to current concession regulations.
Marquez’s recovery and return will be closely monitored, given his significance to the team and the championship. His absence until at least November creates a notable gap in Ducati’s lineup during key races in the calendar.
