The MotoGP paddock has been dealt another major injury blow after Alex Marquez was ruled out of the upcoming rounds following a heavy crash at the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona.
The Gresini Racing rider suffered a broken right collarbone and a minor fracture to his C7 vertebra after colliding with Pedro Acosta’s stricken KTM during the race weekend. Marquez has already undergone successful surgery on his collarbone and has returned to Madrid to begin rehabilitation.
While the collarbone injury is expected to heal in the coming weeks, doctors are continuing to monitor the vertebra fracture before confirming a full recovery timeline.
The setback comes at a difficult moment for Gresini Racing, with the team now needing to secure a replacement rider for the next races. Under MotoGP regulations, teams must field a substitute rider in the event of a long-term absence. Ducati test rider Michele Pirro is among the names expected to be considered after previously stepping in for the team.
Marquez’s absence is also another reminder of the physical toll MotoGP has taken on riders this season. Just one week earlier, his elder brother Marc Marquez was forced to miss the Catalan GP after picking up foot and shoulder injuries at Le Mans. LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco also left Barcelona carrying a knee injury that could sideline him for several weeks.
For now, Alex Marquez has been officially ruled out until at least the Czech Grand Prix on June 21, meaning he is set to miss a minimum of two race weekends.
The two-time world champion now faces a race against time to recover, while Gresini Racing must find a way to stay competitive during his absence in an increasingly tight MotoGP season.
