MotoGP's Marquez leaves hospital after third operation on arm
Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has been released from hospital in Madrid following a third operation on the arm he broke at the Spanish Grand Prix
The Honda rider crashed heavily in the latter stages of July's season-opener at Jerez, breaking the humerus bone in his right arm, which required an immediate operation.
He made an aborted comeback attempt just a few days later for the Andalusian GP, which ultimately weakened the plate in his arm to the point it broke when he opened a patio door at his home.
PLUS: The true Marquez blunder that caused lasting damage
Requiring a second operation, Marquez would not return to racing for the rest of the season as his recovery proved slower than expected - likely a result of an infection found in the fracture after he had a third operation earlier this month to have bone grafted from his hip to his arm.
Honda is yet to give a recovery time for Marquez after his latest surgery, but it is anticipated he will be out of action for at least another six months.
On Sunday afternoon, Honda confirmed Marquez's progress after the surgery and the start of the antibiotic treatment on the infection in his fracture was deemed satisfactory and he has been discharged from hospital.
A short statement read: "Marc Marquez's progress after the surgery performed on 3 December and the start of antibiotic therapy has been deemed satisfactory by his medical team.
"Today he has been discharged from the Hospital Ruber Internacional to continue his recovery at home, where he will continue with the specific antibiotic treatment."
With the 2021 MotoGP season scheduled to begin on 28 March in Qatar, with testing beginning a month prior, Marquez is likely to miss the start of the new campaign.
Marquez was replaced by HRC test rider Stefan Bradl from the Czech Grand Prix onwards this season, with Honda boss Alberto Puig praising the 2011 Moto2 world champion's efforts in pulling double duty in 2020.
However, a potential six-month lay-off for Marquez could open the door for ex-Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso to make a surprise return to racing in 2021.
The 15-time MotoGP race winner will take a sabbatical next year instead of signing on with a manufacturer as a test rider after quitting Ducati, leaving him without ties should Honda approach him.
Honda will field a revised line-up across both of its teams in 2021, with Pol Espargaro joining Marquez at the works squad while Alex Marquez steps over to LCR alongside Takaaki Nakagami.
Previous article
Rossi: Yamaha engineers listen to MotoGP riders but "do what they want"
Next article
Gresini won't be Aprilia factory MotoGP entrant from 2022
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Alex Marquez , Marc Marquez |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Has Yamaha banished its demons with its 2021 MotoGP bike?
Against the expected run of play at Qatar's Losail circuit, both Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo carved through a resolute Ducati defence to secure back-to-back MotoGP wins for the Japanese marque. After a difficult 2020, it appears that Yamaha has swaggered back into championship contention
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
Did the Qatar GP hint at Ducati’s true MotoGP leader?
OPINION: Johann Zarco talked a big game pre-season, and is so far vindicating himself as a factory rider at Pramac after finishing the Qatar GP as top Ducati in second. And contrasting his and Jack Miller's weekends and their approaches, is Zarco emerging as Ducati's true MotoGP leader?
The key changes behind the latest 'return of the Mack'
Maverick Vinales’s authoritative victory at the MotoGP season opener came during a period of personal and professional change for the Yamaha rider. Can it be the springboard for a title challenge?
