A shadow of uncertainty hangs over Marc Marquez's racing future: Will we see the eight-time world champion back on his Ducati for the Valencia MotoGP finale? The answer, it seems, is a cautious 'maybe.' The Ducati team is "hoping" for a return, but they're adamant about one thing: no reckless comebacks.
The saga began with a crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix, where Marquez collided with Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi on the very first lap. This resulted in a complicated right shoulder injury for the 32-year-old racer. Initially, Marquez hoped to avoid surgery, but as his doctors observed insufficient consolidation of the injury, he was compelled to go under the knife last week.
The operation was reportedly successful, but the immediate consequences are clear: Marquez will definitely miss the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix. And, unfortunately for his fans in Portugal, a presence there is also looking very unlikely.
Now, here's where it gets tricky. While Ducati hasn't officially released a recovery timeline, medical experts have suggested that this type of injury could require up to 16 weeks to fully heal. That's a long time in the fast-paced world of MotoGP!
Despite the potential for a lengthy recovery, Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi is cautiously optimistic about Valencia in mid-November. But he's also emphasizing a crucial point: they won't rush Marquez back onto the track. "The injury is quite bad," Tardozzi told TNT Sport. "It doesn’t allow him to be in the next two races, so we will see what it’s going to be for the last one... We are hoping that he will be back for Valencia, but so far we have to wait [to see] what will be [shown in] the new scan and what the doctors will say to him in two weeks."
He reiterated the team's commitment to a safe and complete recovery, stressing that Marquez had "suffered a lot in the past by coming back too early, too soon, to race." This highlights a crucial lesson learned from previous premature returns, which only exacerbated his injuries. Ducati is prioritizing his long-term health over a potentially risky appearance at Valencia.
And this is the part most people miss, a premature return could not only jeopardize the rest of the season but his entire career!
Meanwhile, in other news from the MotoGP paddock, Marco Bezzecchi, involved in the initial incident with Marquez, is set to serve a double long lap penalty at the Australian Grand Prix. For those unfamiliar, a long lap penalty forces the rider to navigate a designated, extended section of the track, adding valuable time to their lap and impacting their race position.
As for Marquez's vacant spot on the Ducati, test rider Michele Pirro will be stepping in to fill the void, both in Australia and Malaysia.
So, the big question remains: Will Marc Marquez be back for Valencia? Ducati is hopeful, but realistic. They're prioritizing his health and a full recovery above all else. But here's a thought: Is Ducati right to be this cautious? Could a mid-November return actually be feasible, or are they potentially holding Marquez back too much, denying him valuable track time and potentially impacting his future performance? Is it better to risk a slightly earlier return and get him back in the saddle, or stick to the cautious approach and ensure a complete recovery, even if it means missing the Valencia finale? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
