Gresini rider Alex Marquez injures his ribs in qualifying in India and is very likely to miss Japan as well – “The crash was my fault,” says the Spaniard
For Alex Marquez, the MotoGP weekend in India came to an early end on Saturday. The Gresini Ducati rider crashed in the closing stages of the first qualifying section at Turn 5 on the left and suffered three fractured ribs
Despite entering Q2 with the second fastest time, the Spaniard was unable to continue the ride as he was taken first to the Medical Centre and then to the hospital in New Delhi for examinations. There, the suspicion of possible rib fractures was confirmed. The sixth, seventh and eighth ribs on the left are affected.
“I am sad,” Marquez said back in the paddock. “Apart from the pain in my ribs, I am mainly sad for the team to miss India and also Japan.” With the Japanese Grand Prix just a week away, it is unlikely that Marquez will be at the Motegi race.
At least ten days rest for Alex Marquez
“Alex will be forced to rest for at least ten days,” said the Gresini team. “The plan is to return for the team’s second home Grand Prix, which will be held in Lombok, Indonesia from October 12-15.”
“Life is like that sometimes,” says the Spaniard. “We have been in a position to wake up from worse situations. I hope it will be much easier this time.”
Speaking about the crash, he explains, “I was really fast in FT2 in the morning and also in Q1. However, I made a mistake when I was a bit too fast in turn 5 and got on the dirty side. I opened the throttle and had a big highsider. That was my mistake and I will learn from that moment. “
Gresini rider wanted to secure Q2 entry
Marquez was happy with how the weekend went until the crash. “I felt really good. We had made a few changes from Friday and the bike was working great,” he said, highlighting the progress.
“I wanted to improve a bit in the last flying laps because I wasn’t sure if my time would be enough for Q2. But then the mistake happened. “
Great to see @alexmarquez73 back in the @GresiniRacing garage!
Get well soon, Alex! IndianGP pic.twitter.com/jlqUSclq4d
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) September 23, 2023
Following his examinations, Marquez returned to the track on Saturday and fulfilled a few more media obligations but was already planning his return home. “I will fly home today or tomorrow and try to recover and do everything I can. Some physiotherapy and stuff like that. “
Marc Marquez: “Too bad because he was fast “
Since they are clean breaks with no displacements, the Gresini rider is hoping for a speedy recovery. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be back in Indonesia. The worst thing is that I can’t laugh for a few weeks.”
Brother Marc Marquez knows that broken ribs can be “very painful”, “because I broke a rib myself this year”. “It’s a shame for Alex because he was super fast. On Friday he struggled, but in FP2 in the morning he was one of the fastest, and in QP1 he was going very well.”
“A crash can happen when you take a risk. Last year he crashed a lot, but this year he is able to be very fast, ride very consistently and not have many crashes. Unlucky for him, but he will go home soon and recover well for Mandalika. There is no rush,” says the elder Marquez.
