Marc Márquez confirms he will not race again in the 2020 MotoGP season

Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Márquez has confirmed that he will not return to ride his Repsol Honda bike again in 2020 and has switched focus to his 2021 season preparation.

The eight-time champion suffered a broken humerus in his right arm after crashing in pursuit of Fabio Quartararo in the season-opening race at Jerez in July.

He underwent surgery the day after to fix a titanium plate into his arm ahead of a surprise attempt to race the following weekend.

The rushed attempt to save his 2020 season was for nought though and he subsequently pulled out of the Andalusian GP after just a handful of laps in practice, complaining of too much pain to ride.

Márquez underwent another procedure a week later, replacing the titanium plate that had been damaged after opening a door at his home while in recovery from his initial operation.

In a post on social media, the out-going premier class champion said that the decision to sit out the remainder of the 2020 season was necessary to ensure he was fully prepared for the 2021 campaign.

“This season I will not compete again,” he said.

“After evaluating how the arm is doing with the Doctors and my team, we have decided that the best option is to return next year. It’s time to continue with the recovery. Thanks for the messages of support. Looking forward to returning in 2021.”

This season I will not compete again. After evaluating how the arm is doing with the Doctors and my team, we have decided that the best option is to return next year. It's time to continue with the recovery. Thanks for the messages of support. Looking forward to returning in 2021 pic.twitter.com/WlQI3BntTN

— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) November 10, 2020

The injury meant Márquez missed a race for the first time in his MotoGP career and his absence has been significant in the ensuing title battle, with nine different riders scoring wins in 2020.

Younger brother Alex Márquez has been the best-placed Repsol Honda rider without him on the grid, but the 24-year-old finds himself 14th in the standings with two races remaining.