Honda test rider Stefan Bradl will replace Marc Marquez for this weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix as the Spaniard heads off to the USA for a potentially career-saving operation.
Marquez is set to miss at least the bulk of the remaining 12 events of the 2022 MotoGP season as a result of the surgery on his right humerus as he looks to try and re-introduce further mobility to the injured arm, his currently compromised riding style beginning to give him problems with his left shoulder.
Honda’s premier class outfit have now confirmed on Tuesday morning that Bradl will deputise for Marquez at Barcelona this weekend as the Spaniard recovers, and although the Japanese manufacturer hasn’t confirmed the German will be in action for his home race at the Sachsenring in three weeks it is likely he will remain as Pol Espargaro’s team-mate until Marquez is fit to return.
“First I want to wish Marc all the best with his operation and his recovery,” said Bradl.
“I am here for everything that HRC and the Repsol Honda Team need until Marc’s return.
“We have all seen the level in MotoGP, so we know the challenge that is ahead of us but I am confident that working with Honda and the team we can achieve something.
“Let’s see what the weekend brings, it will be important to get in a lot of laps and prepare well for Monday’s test.”
The Catalan GP will be Bradl’s third outing so far this year in the RC213-V, the one-time premier class podium finisher having taken 19th in Argentina as a substitute for an injured Marquez before crashing out of the Spanish GP at Jerez while wild-carding his HRC-liveried machine.
