The Honda MotoGP outfit released a statement on Friday confirming that Marc Marquez’s arm surgery conducted in early December is showing “favourable” results, increasing his chances for a race return.
The six-time premier class world champion missed the entirety of the shortened 2020 MotoGP season after breaking his right arm in a heavy crash during the opening round of the year at Jerez before injuring the titanium plate installed to aid the recovery process following the crash by allegedly “opening a window”, forcing him to miss the Czech and both Austrian races as a result.
Marquez ultimately found himself unable to return to competition before the end of the campaign after suffering “pseudarthrosis of the right humerus”, a condition that caused the humerus bone to not heal properly.
Marquez has focussed on trying to recuperate since receiving surgery to rectify the problem in early December, Honda now confirming in a statement that the treatment seems to have worked, therefore allowing their lead rider to “progress steadily” in his continual recovery.
Honda’s brief statement made mention of the team of doctors that led his most recent surgery as being “satisfied with the progress” of Marquez’s humerus since the procedure, though made no mention of any prospective timeline for a return to racing.
“A further review of Marc Marquez at the Hospital Ruber Internacional, 10 weeks after surgery for an infected pseudoarthrosis of the right humerus, has confirmed a favourable clinical situation,” began the statement.
“The medical team led by Doctors Samuel Antuña and Ignacio Roger de Oña, and including Doctors Juan De Miguel, Aitor Ibarzabal and Andrea García Villanueva, assessed the radiographic signs of bone consolidation and were satisfied with the progress.
“From now on, and during the next few weeks, Marquez will be able to progress steadily in the process of functional recovery of the operated arm.”
With Marquez likely set to miss at least the first few races due to the significant healing time of his broken arm, Honda will in all likelihood have to turn to test rider Stefan Bradl once again to deputise.
The German completed the majority of the ’20 season subbing for Marquez, securing a best result of seventh following a strong ride in the season finale at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal.
Ex-Ducati pilot Andrea Dovizioso has also been talked about as a possible replacement should Marquez’s return extend far into the new season.
