MotoGP: Marc Marquez, a new maturity one year after the injury

The 2020 MotoGP season finally got underway on 19 July, after a series of problems and a great deal of uncertainty owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. And that date remains imprinted particularly on Marc Marquez’s mind, as it was on that day that he suffered the most serious injury of his career thus far. Not so much in terms of the broken humerus itself, but rather for the chain of events that this then caused.

In and out of hospital

Starting with the first operation in Barcelona, followed by a swift return to Jerez and an attempt to take part in the second round of the season. With the clear aim of preventing his rivals from gaining too much ground, but to the detriment of his health, something that led to the need for a second surgery soon afterwards. A third followed in December, though fortunately this was to be the last.

His return in Portugal

In the meantime, his rivals completed the 2020 season and prepared for the current season. The eight-time champion only returned for round three, having missed the Qatar double-header. We saw a different Marc Marquez at Portimao, more mature and clearly marked by the physical pain and mental difficulties of having to deal with such a long and difficult period, one which could have even put an end to his fruitful career. A more grown-up Marquez if you will, the Spaniard having realised that health takes priority over racing. He has gradually adapted to his “new” RC213V, the bike having not been the same without its rightful owner.

365 days later

A full year has passed since the incident, one that marked both the rider’s career and his life, and one that he is still recovering from even now. As he himself has said, he’s using this season to train and needs time on the bike, making up for all those miles he lost while focusing on his rehabilitation. At the Sachsenring, his ‘home’ track to all intents and purposes, he offered his rivals a glimpse of what 2022 might look like. Rivals who have grown over the last year, in every respect, but who will definitely find themselves up against Marquez again next year. And it won’t be easy, we’re sure of it.

Translated by Heather Watson

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