Ducati remains confident that Marc Marquez can bounce back strongly once he recovers from the double surgery that will force him to miss this weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix.
Marquez started the new MotoGP season as one of the favourites for the championship, but struggled to replicate his title-winning form across the opening rounds, failing to register a single podium in a Sunday race.
Following a frightening crash in last weekend’s sprint race at Le Mans in which he broke a foot, the reigning champion finally admitted that he hadn’t fully recovered from the shoulder injury he had sustained at last year’s Indonesian Grand Prix.
The 33-year-old subsequently underwent surgery on both injuries — an operation on the shoulder was always planned but never disclosed — and will sit out this weekend’s Barcelona round to complete his recovery.
Speaking on Thursday, Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi praised Marquez for what he was able to achieve while physically compromised, having broken the lap record at Le Mans despite still nursing a shoulder injury.
Backing him for a strong result, Tardozzi told Spanish broadcaster DAZN: “I spoke to Marc yesterday. I think things are looking good.
“Marc is very happy, because all these operations have lifted a weight off his shoulders – a problem that, right from the start of the season, was clearly holding him back.
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team crash
Photo by: Marc Fleury
«Right now, the most important thing is for Marc to recover and get back on the bike in good shape. However long it takes, we’ll see. We’re waiting for him. When he returns, I think he’ll still give us plenty of reasons to celebrate.
“Marquez has shown once again that he’s a superhero, knowing what was going on and what the doctor told us. He’s a superb rider. He did something incredible, because given the situation his body was in, no other rider could have done what he did.”
The factory Ducati squad will be down to just entry in Barcelona, with two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia becoming the sole representative for the team.
Should Marquez not recover in time for the Italian GP on 31 May, Ducati could call-up long-time test rider Michele Pirro or its World Superbike Championship star Nicolo Bulega as a stand-in.
“The regulations allow us not to replace Marc for this race. It’s a back-to-back event,” said Tardozzi. “But if for any reason he can’t be at Mugello, of course, we’ll replace him.”
Photos from Catalan GP — Thursday
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
Catalan GP — Thursday, in photos
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