Marc Márquez rides bike again for first time since July last year

MotoGP

Marc Márquez has posted a video of himself riding a motorcycle for the first time since his aborted MotoGP comeback last year

Marquez Marc (esp), Honda RC213V, Repsol Honda Team, portrait during the 2020 MotoGP Gran Premio Red Bull de Espana, Spanish Grand Prix from July 17 to 19, 2020 on the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain - Photo Studio Milagro / DPPI

Márquez hasn't ridden a MotoGP bike since Jerez last year

Studio Milagro / DPPI

Marc Márquez has shared via his social media channels a video of himself riding a bike for the first time since 2020’s Andalusian Grand Prix, further boosting his chances of making the MotoGP season opener in Qatar.

“Yesterday, after eight months and the Doctors approval in the last check-up,I felt this feeling again although it was with a mini moto!” the six-time MotoGP champion said on Twitter, making good on his stated intention this week to start his racing rehabilitation on a small bike.

After breaking his right humerus at the first race of 2020 in Jerez, the Honda rider then had to abort a rapid comeback for the following week’s Andalusian GP, just days after he’d had surgery.

Two further operations followed, the third having to correct the damage done by an infection contracted during his second operation, which has threatened to keep the eight-time world champion on the sidelines for the start of this season.

At the Honda MotoGP 2021 team launch, Márquez said he was “optimistic” of making a return at Losail, and he has appeared on the provisional entry list for the March season-opener – just two weeks away.

The team has released a statement last Friday, 14 weeks after the rider’s last operation, with details of his progression.

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“The medical team have clinically and radiographically verified satisfactory progression of bone consolidation,” it said. “From this moment on, Márquez can now intensify his strength and mobility recovery programme with a view to gradually returning to competitive racing.”

Earlier this week, Honda released a video featuring Márquez which continued to put out the positive messages.

“The sensations are very good,” Márquez said.

“We have recently started to work on strength, but the progression is very fast.

“The difference between the left and right arms is getting smaller and smaller and, on a cardiovascular level, I look ready.

“I am waiting to feel good muscularly, to take a motorcycle. I feel that that moment is getting closer and closer.”

The Spaniard did retain some caution in his outlook though.

“What I am not going to do is ride a MotoGP [bike] all at once,” he warned.

“I will start with a small motorcycle, to see how I feel and, if I am doing well, because next time I will ride a bigger one, a [Honda] CBR1000, on a large circuit, to feel again the sensations of going 300km/h.

“One month ago it was difficult to take a shower, open a door, even eat something.

“Then it’s a mental fight, you need to fight against your confidence. It was a long time without using my right arm.”