Marquez ruled out of Qatar MotoGP to recover from surgery

The six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has been ruled out of the season opener Qatar Grand Prix, the organising committee said on Monday, as he continues to recover from the surgery.

Marquez got himself fractured in his right arm on July 19 2020 when he fell in the first Grand Prix of the previous season, an injury that needs three bouts of surgery. The last surgery he underwent was in the month of December.

He came back to the training sessions at the beginning of February and expressed positivity about his recovery but had not set a date for his return.

The statement said while Marquez’s medical team reported a “good clinical response” after the successful operation for an infected pseudoarthrosis of the right humerus, they decided not to rush his return to the track.

“After the last review with the medical team, the doctors have advised me that the most prudent thing was not to take part in the Qatar Grand Prix and to continue with the recovery plan that we have followed in recent weeks,” Marquez said in the statement.

He further added that “I would have loved to be able to participate in the opening race of the World Championship, but we will have to continue working to be able to recover the optimal conditions that allow us to return to competition.”

Marquez, who handed over the MotoGP crown last season to his compatriot Joan Mir, have been practically ruled himself out of the title competition this year, despite Mir’s comments that he is always a favourite.

Qatar will be looking forward to organise the opening two races of the 2021 MotoGP season, and will also ensure to provide the essential Covid-19 vaccine to the sport’s entire paddock.

The Losail circuit will stage back-to-back races on March 28 and April 4.

It also hosted pre-season testing for MotoGP this month and welcomed Moto2 and Moto3 testing from March 19-21.