Marc Marquez to miss two MotoGP races due to shoulder injury – Ducati confirms Michele Pirro for Australia – Malaysia race still undecided
MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will have to sit out the next two race weekends at Phillip Island (Australia) and Sepang (Malaysia). The Ducati factory rider injured his right shoulder in an accident caused by Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) at the Indonesian Grand Prix.
After several medical examinations at the Hospital Ruber Internacional in Madrid, it was determined that the Spanish rider had suffered a fracture at the base of the coracoid process and a ligament injury to his right shoulder.
The coracoid process is a small, hook-shaped bony protrusion of the shoulder blade (scapula) that extends forward and sideways and resembles a raven’s beak. It serves as an attachment point for important muscles and ligaments.
Clinical examination and radiological evaluation ruled out any connection with previous injuries and also confirmed that there was no significant bone displacement.
The medical team therefore decided on conservative treatment with rest and immobilization of the affected shoulder until the fracture has completely healed and is clinically stable. Marquez remains in Madrid to recover. Ducati has now confirmed that test rider Michele Pirro will replace the new world champion in Australia. For the 39-year-old Italian, who has been a test rider since 2013, this will be his 70th MotoGP race with Ducati.
Because Ducati is not allowed to register wildcards due to concessions, Pirro has only competed in one race in the past two years. At the 2024 season finale, he replaced Fabio Di Giannantonio in the VR46 team in Barcelona because “Diggia” underwent shoulder surgery.
Pirro is gaining racing experience in the Italian Superbike Championship (CIV). In 2024, he won the championship title in the top class for the seventh time. This year, he lost to Alessandro Delbianco and finished as runner-up. Ducati has so far only confirmed Pirro as a replacement rider for Marquez in Australia, but not yet for Malaysia.
