Alex Marquez has confirmed he will miss the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix after deciding to undergo surgery on his persistent right shoulder injury, putting his recovery ahead of the remaining races.
The Gresini Ducati rider made the announcement shortly after securing third place at the Malaysian Grand Prix, confirming that he would travel to Madrid for the procedure. The injury has troubled him since a heavy crash at the Catalan Grand Prix in May, leaving him with ongoing pain and restricted movement.
Despite continuing to race for several months with the help of painkillers, Marquez admitted that the discomfort had become increasingly difficult to manage. The decision to undergo surgery is intended to address the underlying problem and allow him to rebuild his strength properly.
Marquez explained that the operation would involve more than simply removing the plate in his collarbone. He described it as “two surgeries in one”, with doctors also expected to treat significant inflammation and fluid accumulation around his shoulder.
The condition has affected his ability to train and develop muscle strength, making it difficult for him to recover fully between races.
“I can't do any work at home. I don't have muscle, I don't have nothing,” Marquez said, highlighting the extent to which the injury has affected his physical condition.
Although he will be absent from the Qatar round, Marquez is hopeful of returning for the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao in three weeks. He believes the target is achievable following discussions with his medical team, although his recovery will determine whether he is fit to compete.
Marquez also explained that the demanding race schedule had made it increasingly difficult to continue riding through the pain, particularly with three consecutive race weekends approaching.
“I was suffering a lot with these back-to-back races. So for me, it's impossible to do three in a row,” he said.
By opting for surgery now, Marquez is aiming to resolve the lingering issue rather than risk prolonging his recovery. His absence will be a setback for Gresini Ducati in Qatar, but the priority will be ensuring he returns to the grid in better physical condition.
