ALEX MARQUEZ TO MISS QATAR GP AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY

Alex Marquez will miss this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix after undergoing shoulder surgery in Spain on Monday, leaving his brother Marc without his support on track. The Gresini rider has been dealing with the injury since a heavy crash at May’s Catalan Grand Prix. Although he knew for several weeks that surgery was needed, he waited for a suitable moment; his third-place finish in Malaysia came before the procedure.

Alex hopes to return for the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia, but acknowledged that missing Portimao remains possible. “That’s the plan,” he told DAZN. “If I had to skip Portimao, it’s not in my plans, but it’s a possibility.” He said the injury has prevented him from doing strength training at home and left him “very atrophied”, adding that stopping to recover should help him arrive better prepared for the closing races. Iker Lecuona will replace him in Qatar, while Fermin Aldeguer returns to the other side of the Gresini garage after missing two rounds.

Asked whether he could help Marc in the championship fight, Alex was clear: “In Qatar, he’ll have to fend for himself.” The brothers’ on-track interaction drew attention in Malaysia, where Alex started from pole. Marc took the lead at Turn 1, then lost ground on the exit of Turn 3. Alex ran slightly wide at Turn 4, allowing Marc to pass underneath and reclaim first place. Alex had also said he was happy to help Marc by finishing ahead of title rival Marco Bezzecchi.

Bezzecchi is now 68 points behind Marc, while Jorge Martin trails by 44 after withdrawing with a wrist fracture. Marc could therefore have the opportunity to clinch the championship in Qatar. Alex’s absence means he will not be able to influence the contest there, though he is targeting a return for the season’s final races. They will also be his last outings with Gresini before he moves to KTM’s factory team in 2027.