Honda: Marquez's recovery "a slower process" than expected
Honda MotoGP team boss Alberto Puig admits Marc Marquez's recovery from a broken arm has been "clearly a slower process than we expected".
The six-time MotoGP world champion broke his right arm in a crash during the opening round of the coronavirus-delayed 2020 season at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Staging a comeback at the next Jerez race, Marquez ultimately abandoned this before requiring a second operation having damaged the plate inserted into his humerus bone.
Though Honda always left the door open for a return, Marquez never came back as his recovery process slowed, with question marks now surrounding the Spaniard's participation at the start of the 2021 season.
"The situation is what we have explained," Puig said ahead of the Portuguese GP when asked for an update on Marquez's recovery.
"I cannot tell you something I don't know because, first of all, I'm not a doctor and second of all I don't have a crystal ball.
"But what we explained is based on the programme that we decided together with the doctors and hopefully it will be OK.
"It has been clearly a slower process than we expected and of course we wanted. But it has been like this.
"Not all situations are like you expect or not all the injuries evolve like you would like.
"Basically, this is the story, I mean I know we have been trying to explain race by race the situation because we always had the hope that Marc would join during the season.
"That's why we didn't say 'OK, see you next year'. We have been trying to keep the situation, but by the end of the year there was no time and that's when we announced it was impossible.
"So, we hope in the next weeks, month we can say the rider is back to full fitness.
"But unfortunately, I can't answer that, we just hope."
Reports in the Spanish press emerged last month stating Marquez may need a third operation to have a bone graft.
A further report from Spain's El Pais Deportes stated Marquez will take a decision on whether to have the third operation by 1 December.
Should he opt for the surgery, a six-month recovery time is expected, which would rule him out for the start of the 2021 season.
In this unfortunate circumstance, it would open the door for Andrea Dovizioso to return to action with Honda, with the Italian taking a sabbatical in 2021 and remaining a free agent.
Marquez's absence this year played a significant role in Honda enduring its first winless MotoGP season since it returned to the premier class full-time in 1982, with the Japanese marque second-to-last ahead of Aprilia in the constructors' table.
HRC did have some podium success, with Alex Marquez taking a brace of second-place finishes at the French and Aragon Grands Prix, while LCR's Takaaki Nakagami scored a pole position for the Teruel GP on his 2019 RC213V.
Previous article
Petrucci rues he “never found a good bike” for Ducati swan song
Next article
Warning light panels to be mandatory on F1, MotoGP circuits
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Marc Marquez |
| Teams | Repsol Honda Team |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
