Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez says his training bikes were dismantled following his shoulder surgery to dissuade him from riding while recovering.
Marquez underwent an operation on a recurring left shoulder dislocation which plagued him throughout the 2018 season, with the Honda rider later admitting the surgery was “worse” than expected.
Last week Marquez had his first run out on a motorcycle since his operation in preparation for his first appearance on a MotoGP bike since last November at the Sepang test on Wednesday.
In an HRC interview released on the eve of the beginning of testing, Marquez says the wheels of his training bikes were removed in a bid to stop of returning to riding too early during his recovery phase.
“They took the wheels off my bikes,” Marquez sensationally revealed.
His physiotherapist Carlos J. Garcia added: “There were orders for all the [training] bikes to be dismantled.
“When we went to the gym and we passed some bikes, he climbed onto one, assumed the riding position and made noises as if he were on track.
“That's how much he wants to get on a bike again.”
Sepang test will be quality over quantity
Speaking about this week's first three-day test in Malaysia, Marquez admits his run plan will be “quality over quantity”, and says he must be “prudent” as to not do anything to jeopardise the progress in recovery he made over the winter.
“Until I get on the MotoGP bike, I won’t know what shape I’m in,” he conceded.
“I am aware that it will be quality over quantity in terms of the amount of laps I do. More than anything, that’s to avoid causing tendinitis or similar.
“I am also aware that if in the test I can’t put in the laps that I would like, it is only a test.
“We will all leave Malaysia with zero points. I have to be prudent and not throw away the hours I’ve spent recovering, the two months I’ve been recovering and been patient."
