Marc Marquez will miss another MotoGP Grand Prix in Austin this weekend. The Spaniard has not recovered in time from a fractured thumb suffered in the opening race in Argentina late last month.
“The latest CAT scan shows that Marc Marquez’s first metacarpal is still not fully healed,” the Honda factory team, the racing team for which Marquez rides, said on Tuesday.
“After extensive consultation, all involved have chosen to allow the injury to fully heal and avoid any unnecessary risks. Marquez will continue his rehabilitation program at home to return to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Thirty-year-old Marquez started from pole position at the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão, but got off badly and dropped back to fourth. In an attempt to make up for lost ground, Marquez defeated Portuguese Miguel Oliveira. Both drivers retired. Marquez received a mild punishment from race management.
It is not yet clear whether Honda will replace Marquez in Austin. In the previous race in Argentina, the team chose not to call a substitute.
Marquez has struggled with frequent injuries in recent years
Marquez broke his arm in a fall at the start of 2020 and has since undergone four surgeries. The thirty-year-old driver has not played a significant role in the championship over the past two seasons.
After two weekends Italian Marco Pessecchi is at the top of the World Cup rankings. Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia is nine points adrift in second place (50 to 41 points). France’s Johan Sarko (35 points) rounded out the top three.
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