Marc Marquez sustains fracture in Indonesian GP crash




































































In a dramatic turn of events at the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix, reigning world champion Marc Marquez sustained a fracture following a high-speed collision. The incident occurred on the opening lap when the Ducati factory rider was involved in a crash with sprint race winner Marco Bezzecchi, impacting his already previously injured right arm.
Medical personnel on site, specifically MotoGP medical director Dr. Angel Charte, initially reported that Marquez was experiencing mild pain and had suffered trauma to his right shoulder. X-rays conducted revealed a minor fracture. However, Dr. Charte emphasized that a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan would only be established once Marquez returned to Europe, citing the complexities arising from his past surgeries on the same arm that could complicate immediate assessment.
A subsequent communication from Ducati clarified the situation further, indicating that the injury was specifically to Marquez's right collarbone. This slight discrepancy in initial reports was attributed to the urgency of disseminating information immediately following the crash. Marquez is scheduled to travel to Madrid for comprehensive medical examinations, including a CT scan, to ascertain whether surgical intervention will be necessary.
Davide Tardozzi, Ducati's team manager, had also confirmed the presence of a break in Marquez's right shoulder during the race to Dorna, aligning with the initial medical findings before the more specific collarbone diagnosis emerged. This unfortunate event marks a disappointing end to the weekend for Marquez, who had just clinched the world title in Japan a week prior. Furthermore, it means Marquez, who was seen wearing an arm sling post-race, has yet to complete a grand prix at the Mandalika circuit across his four attempts.
Reflecting on the crash, Marquez commented, “While I'm not in perfect shape, it could have been much worse. It appears to be torn ligaments in my collarbone, but this is merely an initial assessment. I'll be heading to Madrid tonight for a thorough check-up to understand the full scope.” He added, philosophical about the risks of his sport, “Such occurrences are inherent in racing. I always acknowledge that sometimes it happens to you, and other times to someone else. Bezzecchi made contact with my rear wheel, but these things transpire. He came to offer his apologies. Now, my recovery timeline will solely depend on the doctors' directives.”
The incident highlights the inherent dangers of professional motorcycle racing, where high stakes and intense competition can lead to sudden and severe consequences. While Marquez remains optimistic about his recovery, the focus now shifts to the medical assessments in Madrid to determine his path back to full health and competition.