Official: Marc Marquez won't race again until 2021

The Repsol Honda team has officially confirmed that injured six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez will not return to action this season.

The Spaniard has been absent since breaking his right arm in the season-opening Jerez race in late July, attempting a return the following weekend just days after having the injury plated.

That backfired when he was forced to withdraw, the strain of the early return also probably causing the titanium plate to break soon after, requiring a second operation.

Since that operation, on August 3, very few details have been given. A press release interview on August 22 suggested a recovery period of 'two-three months', meaning somewhere between October 22 and November 22.

MotoGP riders often slash such recovery estimates, but in this case, it was a race that Marquez wasn't able to win – the Portimao finale being on the weekend of November 22, an event Marquez previously said he "hoped to be at" - and will fuel rumours that there have been complications with his recovery.

'As his recovery continues, Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team confirm he will not participate in the remainder of the 2020 MotoGP season and aims to return to racing in 2021,' said a Repsol Honda statement.

'Working through his recovery programme and tracking the progress of his arm, Marc Marquez in conjunction with Honda, his team and multiple expert doctors, has elected to officially delay his return to action until 2021.'

HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will continue to replace Marquez in the last two rounds:

“First of all I want to wish Marc all the best in his continued recovery and thank HRC for giving me this opportunity.

"We have made a lot of progress since Le Mans and I have felt my level increase with more bike time and working with the Repsol Honda Team.

"The week of data will help us and the forecast is looking better at the moment. It’s going to be a busy end to the year but I am looking forward to it.”

Marc's withdraw means he will not get to race alongside younger brother Alex in Repsol colours again, with the #73 switching to LCR next season.