Honda team manager Alberto Puig 'frankly surprised' as Marc Marquez declared fit to race at Jerez 48 hours after surgery on broken right arm

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez sensationally confirmed on Thursday that he will attempt to compete in this weekend’s Andalucian Grand Prix, only a few days after undergoing surgery for a broken arm.
Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez at Jerez on Thursday after being passed fit to race this weekend.Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez at Jerez on Thursday after being passed fit to race this weekend.
Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez at Jerez on Thursday after being passed fit to race this weekend.

The Repsol Honda rider crashed out of third place in last Sunday’s championship opener at Jerez in the Spanish Grand Prix, breaking his humerus.

Marquez had led the race until lap five, when he produced a miraculous save on his left knee before running into the gravel.

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He re-joined the race in 16th position and incredibly battled his way through the field into a podium place.

Marquez was then challenging Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales for the runner-up spot when he was high-sided from his Honda.

It was immediately apparent that the 27-year-old had damaged his arm and there was confirmation of his injury soon after.

He then travelled to Barcelona and underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, when a return at Brno in the Czech Republic on August 9 was tentatively predicted.

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However, Marquez arrived at Jerez from Barcelona by private jet on Thursday and passed a medical fitness test, clearing him to race this weekend.

He will sit out Friday’s free practice sessions to gain an extra day’s rest before participating in Saturday’s final practice and qualifying.

Marquez will then make a decision over whether or not he feels capable of completing the full race distance in Sunday’s race.

The news even came as a shock to Honda team manager Alberto Puig, who said it was never initially considered that Marquez may be able to compete in the second Jerez round.

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“Originally, clearly, Honda’s position was not to run at this race and try to run in Brno,” he said.

“But after what we saw and heard from Marc and the doctors, who declared him fit, we came to an understanding.

“He will try on Saturday and depending on how he is feeling he will try to race, but we asked him to check on Saturday first to really understand if he’s capable of doing the distance.

“From last Sunday to today things have gone very quickly and frankly we are surprised.”

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LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow also underwent surgery on Tuesday on a small scaphoid fracture.

The Briton was ruled out of last weekend’s race after crashing during morning warm-up but has been passed fit to race this weekend.

Suzuki’s Alex Rins, who dislocated his shoulder in a spill during qualifying last Saturday, is also set to race at Jerez.

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo won the opening MotoGP race of the revised 2020 championship last Sunday on the Petronas Yamaha to earn his maiden premier class victory.

Vinales finished second with third place going to factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso.

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