In an emotional moment, Marc Marquez opened up to his Ducati team about a “secret” nerve issue that has been costing him half a second per lap in MotoGP this season.
The reigning MotoGP champion made this revelation shortly after suffering a foot injury from a significant highside during the Sprint at Le Mans on Saturday.
After being declared unfit due to his foot injury, Marquez disclosed that he was already planning a shoulder surgery. This operation was subsequently rescheduled to align with his foot procedure.
In a recent Inside Ducati YouTube video, filmed after observing teammate Pecco Bagnaia’s podium celebrations, Marquez was seen with the Ducati team, surrounded by key members including Gigi Dall’Igna and crew chief Marco Rigamonti.
Facing the Challenges
“I didn’t say anything…” Marquez said, pausing as emotions overwhelmed him. “There’s a screw that’s causing nerve problems, intermittently.”
Upon being told that at least he understands the problem, Marquez replied, “Yes, I knew this was happening. You can’t ride a motorcycle like that.” He highlighted that he had already scheduled the operation after the Catalunya GP, confessing, “I’m riding with one and a half arms.”
Understanding the Limitations
He further explained that a broken screw from a previous crash had shifted and started irritating a nerve used for three fingers and the entire right arm, which hampers his strength. “Some laps are fine, while others aren’t,” he noted.
The day before his significant accident in the Sprint, Marquez astonished the team by breaking the Le Mans lap record during Qualifying 1, expressing, “I have nothing to prove. The issue is that I’m lapping half a second off my limits.” He acknowledged having crashed even when he felt he wasn’t pushing the limits, reflecting on a specific incident in Jerez where he lost control unexpectedly.
Health Comes First
Ducati Corse general manager Dall’Igna assured Marquez that opting for surgery was the right decision, prioritizing his health. Marquez revealed, “I asked to keep it a secret… I wanted to focus on the weekend without distractions.” After surgery, doctors removed two problematic screws and a bone fragment that was compressing his radial nerve.
The Spanish rider will not participate in this weekend’s Catalunya round, where Bagnaia will represent the Ducati Lenovo team independently.
