Marc Marquez has withdrawn from the remainder of the MotoGP Andalusian Grand Prix due to the broken arm he recently had surgery on.
The reigning world champion suffered a heavy accident in last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez and broke the humerus bone in his right arm as a result.
He underwent surgery in Barcelona on Tuesday and was expected to miss this weekend’s second Jerez outing, with his Honda team having packed up his side of the garage.
However, Marquez returned to Jerez in an attempt to ride this weekend and was passed fit by MotoGP medical staff on Thursday.
As a compromise with Honda, Marquez sat out Friday’s running as a precaution and returned to action on Saturday morning in FP3.
Completing 18 laps, Marquez ended the session in 19th with a laptime just 1.2 seconds off the best pace set by Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, and rode again in FP4.
Starting Q1, Marquez completed just one outlap before pulling into pitlane and heading out the back of the garage.
Honda has now confirmed Marquez will take no further part this weekend, meaning he will miss a MotoGP race for the first time in his career.
Sunday’s Andalusian GP will also be the first time since the 2011 Valencia Moto2 round that Marquez has missed a race through injury.
Honda boss Alberto Puig said: “This morning the objective was to make first contact with the bike and we saw that Marc could still be fast.
“In the afternoon the plan was to do a longer run.
“Either due to the heat or fatigue from the morning, he experienced more problems and found it more difficult.
“Obviously we have understood that it was better not to take more risks.
“Now we have analysed the situation and made the decision not to participate in tomorrow’s race.
“Marc has tried to listen to his body, to see how he responded.
“When he saw that he could not, we have all decided not to race tomorrow.
“Marc is very strong. He wanted to try, and we wanted to give him the opportunity to do it, we have supported him at all times – I think we have made the right decision at all times.
“A champion cannot stay at home if he thinks he has the option or a slight chance.
“Now he has a lot of inflammation, but it will pass.
“There are many races ahead and the goal is to arrive in Brno in the best way.”
Potentially looking at a 50-point deficit to the championship lead for Brno should Fabio Quartararo win again on Sunday, Marquez’s hopes of a seventh MotoGP title in 2020 have taken a serious knock.
LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow qualified 13th in Q1 despite fielding a wrist injury, while Suzuki’s Alex Rins qualified 20th on his fractured and dislocated right shoulder.