MotoGP title contender Alex Marquez has been declared fit to start this weekend’s MotoGP race at Sachsenring, Germany. However, his condition will be reassessed after Friday’s first practice session.
Currently second in the World Championship standings, behind the Mark brothers, the Gresini Ducati rider is nursing a fracture in his left hand sustained during a collision with Pedro Acosta at the previous race in Aragón.
Marquez explained to Motogp.com, “I was disappointed with the crash because the initial impact on my right side was manageable. But later, when I put my hand down, I hit something—I’m not sure if it was a hole in the grass, a curb, or something else.”
He added, “The impact to my hand was severe, and I immediately sensed something was wrong. It felt like my fingers were dislocated, but it turned out the bone was broken. I underwent surgery to fix it. Now I just want to enjoy racing here at Sachsenring.”
Marquez also mentioned, “I had a medical check-up from Dr. Chart, and there are no specific goals for now; it’s just the first practice. I’ll need to assess my condition with each session. I feel good enough to ride, which is why I’m here, but I’ll be cautious if pain arises unexpectedly.”
When asked about the weather forecast and possible rain, Alex responded, “Rain changes how you have to handle the bike; you need smoother control and less power. But it also raises the risk of crashes. I prefer the dry conditions because wet tracks are tricky and cause unusual crashes.”
The incident with Acosta occurred when Marquez’s front brake lever touched Acosta’s, locking Acosta’s front wheel and resulting in a high-speed crash for the Gresini rider. The FIM MotoGP stewards ruled the incident a racing accident. Marquez was diagnosed with a fracture in the second metacarpal of his left hand and had surgery in Madrid. Meanwhile, Acosta, who finished fourth in the race, was briefly hospitalized for an allergic reaction to an insect sting but recovered fully.
Both riders are set to return for the first practice session at Sachsenring. Marquez, who shared a podium with fellow Mark sibling last season as teammates at Gresini, sits 68 points behind the current championship leader this weekend and 58 points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for MotoGP fans as Alex Marquez’s fitness could significantly impact the championship battle. His resilience and ability to race despite injury highlight the intense physical and mental demands of the sport, promising thrilling battles ahead at Sachsenring and beyond.
