In a statement released on Monday (27/3/2023) morning, Honda revealed that Marquez had suffered a fracture of the first metacarpal of his right thumb. He underwent surgery at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid by a team led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Ona.
They installed two screws to reduce and fix the fracture internally.
Honda said surgery was going well, but his condition was not yet fit to take part in the second round of the season at Termas de Rio Hondo on April 2. There is no definite schedule for when Marquez will be able to return to asphalt.
This means that Marquez will not be able to finish the full MotoGP season unscathed again, since 2019 – the year in which he won his sixth premier class title.
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“Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have selected the eight-time world champion to sit out the next round of the world championship in order to fully focus on his recovery and arrive at the next round in the best condition,” the statement read.
Marquez was battling for a podium position in the early laps at Portimao when his front tire locked on entering Turn 3, then nudged Jorge Martin’s Pramac Ducati before hitting the side of Miguel Oliveira’s RNF Aprilia bike.
The incident made Marquez and Oliveira immediately drop out of the race, while Martin was still able to continue the race even though he had to fight again from 16th place.
Stewards held Marquez responsible for the incident and sentenced him to a double lon lap penalty in Argentina.
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
With Marquez unable to race in South America this weekend, it is unlikely his ban will carry over to the next round.
Several in the paddock felt that the Spaniard received a light sentence for causing the incident, with Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro saying he felt Marquez deserved a one-race ban for the incident.
Honda will not replace Marquez in Argentina, meaning Joan Mir will be the sole representative for the factory team.