PRAGUE (CZECH REPUBLIC) – Repsol Honda Team confirmed on Tuesday that their MotoGP champion Marc Marquez will not be taking part in the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday after undergoing a second surgery on a broken arm. He will be replaced by test rider Stefan Bradl.
Marquez had to go under the scalpel on Monday to replace a damaged titanium plate inserted after he suffered a fracture of his right arm in the July 19 season-opening race in Spain.
The team said Marques, 27, who tried to return for the second race in Jerez but withdrew without qualifying, would remain in the hospital in Barcelona for 48 hours before being discharged.
“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 team said in a statement.
“After undergoing a second operation… Marquez and HRC have decided 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.”
Bradl has three top 10 finishes to his credit from his seven starts in the MotoGP class and has missed out on points just once, the team said.
During the race in Brno, Petronas Yamaha’s French rider Fabio Quartararo is aiming for a third win.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field