Marc Marquez reacts as Michele Pirro confirmed as Ducati injury replacement for Australian Grand Prix

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Michele Pirro will replace the injured Marc Marquez for at least the next two MotoGP races, Ducati have confirmed. Marquez is out after breaking his collarbone in a crash with Marco Bezzecchi at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Test rider Pirro stands in for the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. He may yet be needed for the trip to Sepang a week later and the season-ending double-header in Portugal and Valencia.

Pirro’s rookie season at Gresini in 2012 was his only year as a full-time MotoGP rider. The following year, he took on a test role at Ducati, though he did fill in for the injured Ben Spies at seven races.

The Italian has appeared in at least one premier-class race every year since, whether for Ducati or one of their satellite teams. That streak will now continue, taking him to at least 71 starts.

Marc Marquez reacts on Instagram as Michele Pirro returns to MotoGP

Ducati confirmed the anticipated call-up for Pirro in a social media post on Friday. They say Marquez is continuing his recovery in Madrid after undergoing an operation.

Commenting on Instagram, Marquez sent two raised-hand emojis. These are typically taken as a sign of appreciation and gratitude.

There was some talk that Ducati could turn to World Superbikes star Nicolo Bulega, who will join their test team next year. But Bulega wasn’t interested in replacing Marquez at short notice, even though the WSBK season is coming to an end.

Marquez wants to return before the end of the season, but he’s made it clear that he’ll follow the recommendations of the doctors. He hasn’t aggravated any previous injuries, but with the title already secure, there’s no real incentive to rush.

Every rider who has replaced an injured Marc Marquez

Between his 2013 MotoGP debut and the first round of the 2020 season, Marquez didn’t miss a single race. But the start of the decade was defined by injury.

Honda test rider Stefan Bradl stepped up to replace Marquez for almost all of 2020, as well as three rounds in 2021 and seven in 2022. Bradl delivered a best finish of seventh in that period.

In 2023, Iker Lecuona, a Honda World Superbikes rider, stood in for Marquez at the Spanish GP, placing just outside the points.

Marquez’s streak of 50 consecutive starts now comes to end with his first Ducati-era absence. The Borgo Panigale brand have already sealed all three titles, so Pirro’s outings are likely to be treated as test sessions for 2026.