Alex Marquez suffers multiple fractures in horror crash

Gresini star to undergo surgery following double red-flagged Catalunya GP, while Johann Zarco has also provided an update after a separate nasty accident

Gresini Ducati has confirmed Alex Marquez suffered a broken right collarbone and a marginal fracture to the C7 vertebra after his major accident in Sunday’s Catalunya MotoGP, part of a dramatic and incident packed race that also ended with Johann Zarco in hospital following a separate Turn 1 crash.

Marquez’s crash came on lap 12 of 24 when he ran into the back of Pedro Acosta’s KTM on the run between Turns 9 and 10. Acosta had suffered a technical problem while leading the race, and the contact launched the Gresini rider across the track before he was thrown from his GP26 at high speed.

After receiving treatment at the circuit, Marquez was taken to hospital for further assessment. Gresini later confirmed the extent of his injuries in an official update.

“The rider has suffered a fracture to his right collarbone, which will be operated on this evening. A marginal fracture to the C7 vertebra will instead be evaluated in the coming days.”

Later on Sunday, Marquez offered his own message on social media, saying: “Everything’s under control!!

“I have surgery tonight, but I couldn’t be in better hands.

“Thank you all so much for your concern and for all the kind messages I’m receiving ”

The fallout from Marquez’s crash spread further, with debris from his wrecked Ducati striking riders including Fabio di Giannantonio, Johann Zarco and Raul Fernandez.

The race was stopped after the Marquez-Acosta collision and, when action resumed, Zarco was involved in another heavy incident at Turn 1 alongside Luca Marini and Pecco Bagnaia. The LCR Honda rider became entangled with Bagnaia’s factory Ducati and was also taken to hospital for checks.

While awaiting further examination, Zarco shared an update in French, explaining the scare was worse than the damage first feared.

“Don’t worry, we’re still waiting for the test results,” Zarco said. “I’m wearing a neck brace, but it’s more of a nuisance than anything else.

“It’s mainly the knee; the ligaments have torn, but the femur isn’t broken.

“There’s a small fracture at the bottom of the fibula, on the outside of my left ankle. I’ll keep you posted.

“Just to reassure you anyway: more scare than harm, let’s say.

“I’ll keep you posted. I’ll be staying at the hospital tonight because they want to keep me under observation, and then we’ll see.”

LCR later released a medical update confirming the injuries Zarco sustained in the restart crash.

“Following a crash during the second start of Sunday’s Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, French rider Johann Zarco, who was transported to the Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, sustained injuries to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament, and to the medial meniscus.

“He also suffered a small fibula tear in the ankle area.

“Zarco will remain overnight under observation and will travel to France on Monday to consult with specialists and assess the next steps in his recovery.

“The entire Castrol Honda LCR team wishes Johann Zarco a speedy recovery and will continue to provide updates on his condition.”

The Turn 1 pile-up involving Zarco has also led to fresh calls for safety changes to the approach to the first corner at Catalunya.

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