World Champion Marc Marquez has escaped any radial nerve damage in his right arm following his fearsome high-side during the Spanish MotoGP event at Jerez on Sunday.
Marquez had recovered from an early error that dropped him from the lead to 16th at Jerez, the Spaniard climbing all the way back to third and ranging ever closer to the back of second-placed Maverick Vinales.
Disaster struck just four laps from home though as Marquez lost the rear of his RC213-V on the exit of Turn 3, causing a major high-side and throwing him through the air.
He landed heavily firstly on the tarmac – his right arm and shoulder taking the brunt of the impact – before rolling several times through the gravel trap on the outside of the bend.
While able to stand up and walk away from the scene of the accident, Marquez clutched his right arm and was clearly in pain.
A trip to the medical centre shortly after confirmed he had broken the humerus in his right arm, although the bigger worry was potential damage to the radial nerve in his arm that would likely spell the end of any chances for this year’s MotoGP riders’ title.
Marquez underwent surgery on his broken arm in Barcelona on Tuesday, with doctors confirming that the Honda racer had escaped any radial nerve damage and that a titanium plate and screws had been fixed to Marquez’s humerus to aid the healing process.
His focus will now be on trying to recover sufficiently in order to return for most likely the Czech GP at Brno in two-and-a-half weeks time, although Honda stressed a place for his comeback “would become clearer at a later date.”
“Marc will take some time to recover but we are happy with how everything has gone,” said Repsol Honda team boss Alberto Puig.
“Doctor Mir and his team have taken care of the entire situation since the fall and performed a successful operation.
“This gives the Repsol Honda Team a lot of motivation, knowing it went well, but now we have to be patient to see how Marc recovers and to understand when he can return.”
“Cal Crutchlow also had an operation that went well and in principle, his intention is to test the wrist on Friday. We are optimistic about his participation in the Grand Prix.”
Honda announced on Monday that Marquez would miss the upcoming Andalucian event as he recovers from his injury, with brother Alex Marquez confirmed as the only factory Honda entered for the weekend.
