Marc Marquez will miss this weekend’s Argentinean Grand Prix having undergone surgery on the injured right hand he sustained in a crash during the MotoGP season-opening Portuguese GP.
The Honda racer smashed into the side of RNF Aprilia rider Miguel Oliveira after braking too late on entry to Turn 3 on the third tour of the contest, clipping Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin in the process too.
While Oliveira and Martin escaped serious injury, Marquez was diagnosed with a fractured metacarpal in his right hand following a visit to the Algarve International Circuit medical centre, forcing him to head to Spain for further checks.
According to a statement from Honda the injury was then upgraded to a “displaced intrarticular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal of the thumb of the right hand” on arrival to the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid, forcing him to undergo surgery – the subsequent recovery time meaning he will have to forego this weekend’s race event in Argentina.
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He will also avoid having to take the double long-lap penalty he picked up for his part in the Portuguese crash should he return for the Americas GP due to the stewards wording specifically stating the punishment was for the Argentinean race, meaning it won’t carry over should he skip that particular event.
“After surgery to repair the broken first metacarpal in his right hand, Marc Marquez will miss the second round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship,” began Honda’s statement released on Monday morning.
“Upon returning to Spain for further checks, Marc Marquez was diagnosed with a displaced intrarticular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal of the thumb of the right hand. The #93 immediately underwent surgery at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid with Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña leading a team consisting of Dr. Samuel Antuña and Dr. Andrea Garcia Villanueva.
“The surgery consisted of a closed reduction of the fracture and internal fixation of the same with two screws and passed without incident.
“Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have elected for the eight-time World Champion to miss the next round of the World Championship to fully focus on recovery and arrive at the forthcoming rounds in the best possible condition.”
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