Marc Marquez will miss this weekend’s Americas Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a fractured hand sustained in last month’s Portuguese GP.
The Honda pilot suffered the injury after smashing into the side of RNF Aprilia rider Miguel Oliveira in the opening stages of the encounter at the Algarve International Circuit, the Spaniard fracturing the metacarpal in his right hand as a result of the clash.
He was thus forced to skip the Argentinean GP as he looked to recuperate in time for the Americas GP – held at the Circuit of the Americas venue Marquez has recorded a commanding six wins from his eight premier class starts there – though he and Honda revealed in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that the injury had yet to heal sufficiently for him to take to the grid this weekend.
The Honda squad says that Marquez received the news following medical checks at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid ahead of the Americas outing, the Japanese outfit electing to “avoid any unnecessary risks” and have Marquez sit the event out with an eye on returning for the Spanish GP at Jerez in three weeks time.
“Following a final CAT scan, Marc Marquez and his medical team, led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña, at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid have confirmed the first metacarpal is still in the healing process,” began Honda’s statement.
“After close collaboration with the Repsol Honda Team and HRC, all involved have elected to let the injury fully heal and avoid any unnecessary risks.
“Marquez will continue to work through his rehabilitation program at home in order to return at full fitness as soon as possible.”
Honda will be hoping that Marquez’s team-mate Joan Mir will be fit to ride at COTA following the 2020 MotoGP world champion’s tough Argentina encounter that saw him miss Sunday’s grand prix after suffering cervical trauma in Saturday’s sprint race.
