Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Marquez has defied medical timelines to attempt a comeback at this weekend’s Czech Grand Prix, according to a report.
Marquez was involved in one of the worst MotoGP accidents in recent history at the Barcelona GP last month when he hit Pedro Acosta’s rear tyre after the KTM bike cut out. The ensuing impact ripped his bike to shreds and left him with fractures in his clavicle and vertebrae.
And yet, Gresini announced on Monday that Marquez will try to return at Brno after just two races on the sidelines.
Is MotoGP too dangerous?
Alex Marquez was supposed to rest for six weeks after vertebra injury
According to El Periodico, Marquez’s C7 vertebra injury normally ‘requires’ six weeks of complete rest. Czech GP practice will take place just 33 days after the accident.
While the expectation is that Marquez will be given ‘the green light’ to ride in FP1, before undergoing another assessment, the fracture is currently the ‘biggest concern’.
MotoGP riders routinely return from injury earlier than expected, but one could argue that the nature of this injury makes it particularly risky. He’s dealing with the neck/spine rather than an arm or leg.
Who is going to win the Czech Grand Prix, and why?
Eighth in the standings, Marquez isn’t in title contention this year, so he doesn’t necessarily have an incentive to rush back in that regard.
It’s believed that Marquez has already signed for KTM’s factory team ahead of the 2027 season. He isn’t fighting for his future in the sport either.
Perhaps it would have made more sense to sit out the Brno/Assen back-to-back and return on schedule for the German GP, just before the summer break, but that’s clearly not how MotoGP riders are wired.
Regular World Superbikes rider Iker Lecuona impressed for Gresini as Marquez’s replacement at Balaton Park, finishing seventh, but it will only be a brief cameo.
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