Marc Marquez sits out Austrian MotoGP as recovery continues

Marc Marquez won’t be making a return to the saddle for this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP as his recovery from a fractured arm continues into the fourth round of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship season. 

The Spaniard originally hurt his arm in the Jerez opener but after an aborted attempt to return for round two, a second surgery to replace a damaged titanium plate ruled him out of the third event in Czech Republic too.

Though Marquez was always expected to miss the following Red Bull Ring race – especially after Honda stablemate Takaaki Nakagami appeared to confirm as such in a press conference – there were murmurings an indifferent weekend in Brno for his title rivals could spur an earlier comeback.

However, Repsol Honda has now confirmed Marquez will remain focused on his recovery, with Stefan Bradl standing in for a second event alongside Alex Marquez.

“After an intense and busy weekend I am looking forward to riding at the Red Bull Ring as I have a race under my belt and understand what we need to do," Bradl said.

"I think we will have another busy weekend, but maybe the weather will change it a bit. I am really pleased to be back with the Repsol Honda Team again and I’m sure we can have a more competitive weekend.

"Let’s see how the weekend unfolds, I am confident we can be closer to the MotoGP regulars.”

With its star asset missing, Repsol Honda endured a torrid Brno weekend with Bradl and Marquez qualifying right at the back, with only the latter to pick a point with a run to 15th.

However, Marquez was boosted a little by his perceived main title rivals failing to capitalise on his absence, with Fabio Quartararo only able to finish seventh, while Andrea Dovizioso was 11th and Maverick Vinales 14th. Even so, he remains 59 points shy of leader Quartararo overall.