MotoGP: Marquez to also miss COTA race (Update)

–Repsol Honda Team Press Release–

Joan Mir will be joined by Stefan Bradl for the Repsol Honda Team as the MotoGP World Championship arrives at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.

Honda HRC Test Rider Stefan Bradl will ride in Marc Marquez’s place at COTA this weekend

Bradl’s last race in Austin was in 2016 and his appearances in 2013 and 2014 aboard the LCR Honda yielded two top-five finishes.

In 2014 he started from the front row, behind Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa as the RC213V locked out the top three.

–Repsol Honda Team Press Release–

Following a final CAT scan, Marc Marquez and his medical team, led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña, at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid have confirmed the first metacarpal is still in the healing process. After close collaboration with the Repsol Honda Team and HRC, all involved have elected to let the injury fully heal and avoid any unnecessary risks.

Marquez will continue to work through his rehabilitation program at home in order to return at full fitness as soon as possible.

Editor’s Note: Marquez probably figures why risk pushing so hard if his Honda gets smoked on every straight by the Ducatis. Until Honda can find more HP, it’s a futile effort.