Alex Marquez Weighs Early Surgery, Qatar Appearance in Doubt

Gresini Racing rider Alex Marquez is considering moving up surgery on his right collarbone, which he broke in a crash in Barcelona. The decision could rule him out of next week's Qatar MotoGP round, a blow for the Ducati satellite team.

Marquez said he has been receiving injections at every race since returning from injury. The condition has been worsened by bursitis in the same area, making it hard for him to perform at his best. He plans to fly directly from Kuala Lumpur to Madrid on Sunday night to undergo surgery on Tuesday, if that option is chosen.

“We are evaluating the options with Dr. Samuel Antuna, because it is not just about the plate, there are other things too,” Marquez said on Saturday (25/10/2025). “I have been having injections at every race since coming back from the crash in Barcelona, and honestly I am struggling a lot.”

The initial surgery in Barcelona was done in a hurry so Marquez could return to the track quickly. However, the impact created new problems. He has also had to undergo intensive treatment amid a packed race schedule.

“The impact I suffered in Barcelona was very strong, and the collarbone was operated on very quickly,” he added, suggesting the first surgery was rushed to speed up his comeback.

Nevertheless, Marquez stressed that the crash in the Malaysian sprint did not worsen the existing injury. The incident occurred while he was leading the race and he fell due to a small mistake in extreme heat.

“I made a very small mistake, but with the heat and the low grip level, everything was on the limit,” he explained. “I did not expect that crash to happen at that corner. Maybe too confident after pole this morning, so I was too optimistic.”

The decision on whether to have surgery will strongly affect Marquez's preparations for next season. He will join the KTM factory team and is eager to take part in the Valencia test on 1 December, where he will try the KTM 850cc prototype for the 2027 regulations for the first time.

If the surgery is brought forward, Marquez will likely miss Qatar and focus on recovery for the last two rounds in Portimao (Portugal) and Valencia (Spain). But if he chooses to delay, there is a risk of continued injury and disrupted performance.

A final decision is expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Gresini team must prepare for the possible loss of its leading rider in Qatar, a crucial round in the fight for championship positions.

For Marquez, this is a crucial moment to ensure he is in top physical condition before starting a new chapter with KTM. Will he sacrifice Qatar for a full recovery, or race on despite the pain?