Six-time world champion Marc Márquez will miss the first race of the new season in MotoGP next Sunday. The Spaniard is still insufficiently recovered from the complicated arm fracture he suffered in the first Grand Prix last year and which knocked him out for the rest of the season. His doctors have advised him not to compete in the Grand Prix of Qatar this weekend.
Márquez was not present at the test races at the Losail circuit in Qatar because he wanted to concentrate fully on his rehabilitation. Fifteen weeks ago he had another operation on the right upper arm because of an infection in the joint. Although his recovery is going reasonably well, Márquez’s doctors think it would be more sensible for him to follow his recovery plan and not start racing yet.
“Obviously I would have loved to compete in the opening race of the World Cup, but I have to be sensible and follow the advice of my medical team,” said the Honda factory team driver.