Bikesportnz

A fall at turn three while fighting for the podium has resulted in a broken right humerus (upper arm) for the reigning MotoGP World Champion, whose title defence now appears in tatters.

After mounting an incredible comeback in the Spanish GP, Spain’s Marc Marquez suffered a high side at turn three and came down heavily on his right arm. As a result, the eight-time world champion has suffered a transverse diaphyseal fracture to his right humerus.

MotoGP medical staff have confirmed there is no other serious head or thoracic trauma but he will remain under observation.

Marquez will travel to the Hospital Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona and is aiming to be operated on by Dr Xavier Mir and his team this week.

Recovery time for Marquez is, as yet, unknown.

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow and Spain’s Alex Rins were also casualties of the Spanish GP and they will also undergo treatment this week.

It was the second incident of the day for Marquez, who also ran off the track and into gravel while leading on lap five. Dropping down the order, Marquez lapped at an incredible pace once back on track and produced one of the most impressive rides of his career as he charged back from 19th and with a 9.3-second deficit.

Consistently lapping in the mid to low 1’38s while those at the front were in the high 1’38s, the Honda rider quickly closed the gap to the podium battle.

Charging through the field, Marquez joined the battle for second place with five laps to go, with Spain’s Maverick Viñales (Yamaha) just a few metres ahead. Unfortunately, the vicious high side at turn three put paid to his bid.

Instead it was 21-year-old pole-winner Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) who kept his cool to win this season-opening GP, the young Frenchman thrilled to celebrate his first MotoGP win (and the first for any Frenchman since Regis Laconi in Valencia 21 years ago, in 1999) as he finished ahead of Viñales, with Italian Ducati star Andrea Dovizioso claiming the third podium spot.

It had been 245 days since the 2019 Valencia GP when the MotoGP World Championship roared back to life at the weekend.

Temperatures were once again the main talk before the race, the track at 53°C as ambient temperatures pushed above 30°C.

The next round of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship, the Andalucía GP, takes place next week, from July 24 to July 26.

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