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Marc Márquez to miss Portimão MotoGP round after head injury
MotoGP
- Last updated: November 3rd 2021
Marc Márquez will miss this weekend's Algarve Grand Prix after suffering a head injury in training
Yet another injury setback for Marc Márquez
Steve Wobser/Getty Images
Marc Márquez is set to miss the upcoming Algarve Grand Prix at Portimão due to a head injury sustained in training.
The eight-time MotoGP champion, who has still not fully recovered from a series of arm injuries incurred last year, fell from a bike during off-road training, suffering concussion.
The Honda team says it had given the Spaniard “a few days of rest at home” to see if his condition improved, but a doctor has now advised that his recovery is not sufficient enough to allow him to race as a precaution.
Márquez went through a torrid 2020 that was blighted by an initial injury to his right arm and then a number of setbacks related to that.
After fracturing it at the season-opener in Jerez, he then returned the next week with a metal plate in his arm hoping to make the second race.
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After abandoning that attempt, he then broke the plate when attempting to open a heavy glass door at his residence, meaning he had to have a second operation.
A third round of surgery was required when scans showed the injury was not healing, compounded by an infection being discovered.
After returning at the third race of 2021, Márquez has shown flashes of his old prodigious speed by winning three grands prix, but his right arm is yet to get up to full strength.
The team has not yet announced a replacement, but relied on its test rider Stefan Bradl to fill in last season – the German rider has already made three wildcard appearances this season.
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