Marc Marquez misses next two MotoGP races after fracturing right foot
Defending MotoGP champion Marc Marquez will miss the remainder of the French Grand Prix and next week’s Catalan Grand Prix after fracturing his right foot during Saturday’s sprint.
The Ducati rider was violently thrown from his motorcycle on the final lap of the short-format race at Le Mans.
The 33-year-old had placed his foot down on the tarmac momentarily before being flipped over the handlebars as his machine cartwheeled off the circuit.
Surgery required for reigning champion
A statement from Ducati confirmed the Spaniard has suffered a fifth metatarsal fracture in his right foot.
He is now scheduled to fly to Madrid where he will undergo surgery to repair the damage.
The injury compounds a surprisingly difficult season for the veteran, who currently sits fifth in the overall standings.
He has yet to secure a single podium finish so far in this current campaign.
Martin secures sprint victory at Le Mans
In the absence of the defending champion, Aprilia’s Jorge Martin capitalised to win the Saturday sprint.
That victory reduces the championship gap between Martin and his team-mate Marco Bezzecchi to just six points.
Championship leader Bezzecchi crossed the line in third position to maintain his overall advantage.
Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia split the two Aprilia riders to finish the sprint in a respectable second place.
Reflecting on his victory, Italy’s Martin was surprised by his commanding early race pace.
“I love this track. I struggled a bit in qualifying, but I knew my potential was much higher.”
“I didn’t expect to be in first position in the second corner, but from that point, I just pushed like in the past, like what I am used to.”