Rennie Scaysbrook | August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020 Update:
HRC test rider Stefan Bradl to replace Marc Marquez on the Honda RC213V for the Czech MotoGP
After a heroic return just four days after surgery in Jerez, Marc Marquez will miss the Brno race with Stefan Bradl joining the Repsol Honda Team alongside Alex Marquez.
The Czech GP marks the fourth round of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship and presents the first change of circuit for the season in the MotoGP class. 2019’s Czech GP is remembered for Marc Marquez’s incredible Qualifying lap, 2.5 seconds clear of second placed Jack Miller. Weather forecasts suggest a clear weekend in the high 20s – a change from the punishing heat of Jerez. The weekend also marks the start of MotoGP’s first triple-header of the revised 2020 season as two races at the Red Bull Ring succeed the weekend.
After undergoing a second operation on his injured right arm, Marc Marquez and HRC have decided that the World Champion will not ride in the Czech Republic in order for him to recover more. In his place, HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will mount the Honda RC213V. In 2019 the former Moto2 World Champion competed in four MotoGP races with a best finish of 10th at the German GP. Bradl has claimed three top ten finishes at Brno from his seven starts in the MotoGP class and only once missed out on points.
Winner of last year’s Moto2 race, Alex Marquez is eager to get to the Automotodrom Brno, a circuit he ranks as one of his favorites on the calendar with only one visit finishing outside the top five since he became a full-time Grand Prix rider in 2013. Having made constant progress, especially over race distance, the MotoGP rookie arrives with boosted confidence to try his Honda RC213V around the Czechia circuit with its flowing layout. The objective is again to reduce the distance to the front and fight for top rookie honors.
Alex Marquez
“This will be just the fifth circuit I have ridden a MotoGP bike at, but it is one I have always enjoyed riding and it has suited my style a lot in the past. We gathered a lot of good information from the two weekends in Jerez so now we can apply what we have learned to a new circuit. Every session I learn more about MotoGP and my bike, I am looking forward to riding in Brno and starting three races in three weekends, it will be intense but I am looking forward to it. I hope Marc can recover well and quickly!”
Stefan Bradl
“First of all I want to wish Marc a speedy recovery, what he did in Jerez was incredible and he showed that he has the true spirit of a champion. I am looking forward to riding the Honda RC213V again, due to the global pandemic we have not been able to test as we would normally so it will take some time to adjust to the bike and MotoGP again but I have ridden the superbike a few times so I know my fitness is good. It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to, competing with the Repsol Honda Team is always a great honor and I am pleased to help Honda. Let’s see how the weekend goes.”
August 3, 2020
A second round of surgery for Marc Marquez puts his racing return on ice.
Marc Marquez will not race in this weekend’s Czech MotoGP after undergoing a second round of surgery on his broken right arm.
The six-time MotoGP World Champion suffered a massive highside during round one of the championship, breaking his right humerus while lying in third place. Marquez tried a racing return the following weekend, again at Jerez, managing 28 laps in Free Practice 3, but withdrew from the meeting following swelling and weakness below the elbow.
Marquez’s return to racing action is now indefinite following a second round of surgery to repair his broken right arm.
It has since been confirmed the titanium plate, used to stabilize his broken arm by screwing to the bone, had broken due to stress.
“Marc Marquez underwent surgery 13 days ago and today he returned to the operating room,” said MotoGP doctor, Dr. Xavier Mir. “The first operation was successful, what was not expected was that the plate was insufficient. An accumulation of stress in the operated area has caused the plate to suffer some damage, so today the titanium plate has been removed and replaced by a new fixation. The rider has not felt pain during this period. He has always followed the medical advice given and the feeling from his body. Unfortunately, an overstress has caused this issue. Now we have to wait 48 hours to understand the recovery time.”
With Marquez out of this weekend’s Czech MotoGP, it now puts his already slim chances of clinching a seventh title further into doubt. No word has been given on a potential return date.
Click here for all the latest MotoGP news.
