Ducati have ‘already’ alerted 69-race rider that he may be required to replace injured Marc Marquez

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Ducati have confirmed that Marc Marquez will not appear at the next two MotoGP races after his crash at Mandalika.

The 2025 champion suffered a horrible crash at the Indonesian Grand Prix, as Marco Bezzecchi collided with the rear of his bike at turn seven on lap one. Marquez flew into the gravel trap, causing him to land on top of his right shoulder.

Both riders were taken for checks, with Bezzecchi not having any fractures. However, Marquez is believed to have sustained ligament damage to his right collarbone, with the Spaniard set to undergo further check-ups in Madrid.

Michael Laverty has warned that Marquez’s injury can be ‘career-ending at times’. Ducati will want their star rider to recover as quickly and as strongly as possible, but they are now faced with the prospect of needing to replace him.

Ducati have ‘already’ alerted Michele Pirro that he may need to replace Marc Marquez after injury

Given that Marquez may require surgery in Spain, Ducati have confirmed that he will not be racing in Australia or Malaysia. He is targeting a return at Portimao to finish the season, but the Borgo Panigale outfit now have just Francesco Bagnaia available for the end of the Asian tour.

However, Ducati have ‘already’ made their plans, as per a report from GPOne. The manufacturer have alerted Michele Pirro that he could be required to replace Marquez for the next two races.

The 39-year-old Italian, who has competed in 69 MotoGP races in his career, acts as Ducati’s test rider and has made sporadic wildcard appearances over the years. His last race came at the 2024 Solidarity GP in Barcelona for VR46.

Ducati have told Pirro he may be needed in Australia and Malaysia, but as per the regulations, Marquez’s bike ‘can remain stationary in the pit box’ in Phillip Island. They do not need to replace him there if they wish.

However, with Marquez confirmed not to be racing at Sepang, Ducati must replace him there. That is where Pirro will ‘have to take over’ under the rules.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend

The ‘only way’ that Nicolo Bulega could replace Marc Marquez at Ducati

Pirro is not the only rider Ducati have called upon for wildcard entries or to replace injured talents. Alvaro Bautista raced at the 2023 Malaysian GP for Aruba.it Racing.

The Spaniard, who currently races for Ducati in World Superbikes, is not the only option the team could have called upon. Nicolo Bulega is fighting 2026 Pramac signing Toprak Razgatlioglu for the WSBK title this season, but that is the exact reason why he cannot replace Marquez.

Journalist Simon Patterson says the Italian is focused on the final two races in WSBK, which happen before Sepang in MotoGP. The ‘only way’ he can replace Marquez is if he is not fit by Portimao.

He said via The Race MotoGP Podcast: “Bautista had also had a time to do a test, which Bulega won’t have. So, the only way that he’ll get a chance is if Marc is still on fit whenever we come to like Portimao.”