Argomenti trattati
The nine-time world champion Marc Marquez was operated on in Madrid following a dramatic exit from the French Grand Prix weekend. After a heavy highside during the sprint at Le Mans left him injured, Marquez flew back to Spain overnight and underwent two procedures the following morning at the Ruber Internacional Hospital. Team doctors confirmed both operations were successful and that the rider will begin a period of supervised rehabilitation at home.
Marquez’s crash occurred on the penultimate lap of the sprint, when the impact with the tarmac resulted in a broken bone in his right foot. The factory Ducati Lenovo Team rider immediately withdrew from the rest of the weekend after medical checks identified the damage. With the diagnosis confirmed, the decision was made to treat the foot surgically in Madrid so that the injury could be stabilised and recovery could start promptly.
Surgical details and medical team
The first operation focused on stabilising a fractured fifth metatarsal in Marquez’s right foot—an injury sustained when he struck the ground during the Le Mans sprint. The surgical team secured the bone to restore alignment and give the rider the best chance for a timely recovery. In parallel, surgeons carried out a second, unrelated procedure to address an existing shoulder issue that had been exacerbated by previous incidents.
Shoulder correction and hardware removal
The secondary operation removed two screws and a small bone fragment from Marquez’s right shoulder, a legacy of a previous Latarjet operation performed in December 2019. Medical staff found that the displaced metalwork was pressing on the radial nerve, causing pain and functional problems that had affected the start of the 2026 season. The team described the procedure as a corrective measure to relieve that compression and reduce ongoing symptoms.
Who performed the operations and what was said
The medical interventions were carried out under the supervision of Dr. Samuel Antuna with colleagues Dr. Ignacio Roger de Ona, Dr. Andres Maldonado, Dr. Jorge de las Heras, Dr. Raul Barco and Dr. Juan de Miguel. Ducati confirmed the successful stabilisation of the foot fracture and the removal of hardware from the shoulder. The team indicated Marquez would remain in hospital overnight before returning home to begin a tailored rehabilitation plan, with progress over the coming weeks determining his availability for upcoming races.
Timing and previously planned surgery
Although the shoulder operation had been part of a planned corrective schedule identified after Marquez reported pain following a tough weekend at Jerez, the rider had not publicly announced the intended procedure prior to his crash at Le Mans. That earlier plan had been pencilled in for the period after the Catalan round, but the events at Le Mans accelerated the timeline so both issues could be addressed while he remained in Madrid.
Racing implications and recovery outlook
As a result of the injuries and the surgical recovery, Marquez has been ruled out of next week’s Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona. His participation in the Italian Grand Prix on 31 May is now conditional on his rehabilitation progress and medical clearance. The enforced absence from Le Mans and the following cancellation mean he has slipped in the championship standings to seventh, sitting 71 points behind the current leader, Marco bezzecchi.
Team statements emphasise a cautious approach: Marquez will follow a structured recovery programme overseen by the Ducati medical staff, and the dates for a return to competition will be confirmed only when the team and physicians are satisfied with his condition. For now, the focus is on healing the fifth metatarsal fracture, resolving the shoulder hardware issue and gradually restoring the strength and range of motion needed to race at MotoGP level.
Fans and colleagues have already sent messages of support while the Ducati Lenovo Team monitors his rehabilitation. The combination of the foot fixation and the shoulder corrective surgery aims to resolve acute damage and address an ongoing problem that had been affecting him since last year’s Indonesian Grand Prix, when a collision displaced the shoulder implants. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether Marquez can return for the Italian round on 31 May or whether a longer recovery will be necessary.