Marc Marquez undergoes successful surgery on right shoulder injury with MotoGP return date unknown - 'Recovery mode on'
Published 13/10/2025 at 18:58 GMT+1
Ducati have confirmed that Marc Marquez has undergone surgery on the right shoulder injury he suffered at Grand Prix Indonesia. Marquez was taken out at high speed by Marco Bezzecchi on the first lap and was diagnosed with a fracture at the base of the coracoid process and a ligament injury. The world champion’s surgery was a success but a return date is dependent on his recovery.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Marc Marquez has had successful surgery on his right shoulder after injuring it during a first-lap crash with Marco Bezzecchi at Grand Prix Indonesia.
The Ducati Lenovo rider was diagnosed with a fracture at the base of the coracoid process and a ligament injury to his right shoulder, but it was initially hoped he would make a full recovery without having to go under the knife.
However, after being unsatisfied with the progress of the injury following a further examination with his medical team, the decision was taken to have surgery.
"After a check-up for his right shoulder blade injury, Marc Marquez has undergone a successful operation at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid, Spain," a Ducati statement read.
"The same medical team who had examined him seven days earlier found that the coracoid fracture and ligament damage were not showing sufficient signs of stabilisation after a week of being immobilised.
"Therefore, given the risk of residual instability, it was decided to go ahead with surgical stabilisation and repair the acromioclavicular ligaments."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Marquez was expected to make his return before the end of the season but that has now been thrown into doubt.
"Surgery was one of the options considered by doctors from the outset in the event that the planned conservative treatment failed," the statement continued.
"In any case, Marc Marquez, who is already at home, will continue his recovery process, and his progress will determine the timing of his return to racing competition."
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Marquez underwent four surgeries on his right arm after suffering a career-threatening injury in Jerez in 2020 but completed his remarkable comeback to the summit of the sport this season.
After joining the factory Ducati outfit from the Gresini satellite team for 2025, Marquez dominated from the opening round in Thailand.
He claimed 11 Grand Prix race victories and 15 Sprint wins to take a commanding lead into the GP of Japan and wrapped up a seventh world title with a pair of second-place finishes at Motegi.
After nearly walking away from the sport, Marquez proved beyond doubt he is among the all-time greats.
Now, he is ready to throw himself into his latest recovery.
"Surgery done, everything went well," Marquez posted on social media. "Thanks for all your messages and support! Recovery mode on!
"And don’t forget… WE ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS."
Who will replace Marquez?
With Marquez out and with a return date unknown, Ducati will need to find a replacement for the 32-year-old.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro would be the obvious choice but they could turn to their World Superbikes rider Nicolo Bulega.
Bulega is locked in a championship fight with Toprak Razgatlioglu with just two rounds remaining.
Ducati are unlikely to put Bulega in for the Grand Prix Australia and thwart his WSBK title hopes, but he would be available for the final three MotoGP rounds in Malaysia, Portugal and Valencia if Marquez is unable to return before the end of the season.
Might Ducati take the opportunity to see how Bulega would fare at MotoGP level with an eye on the future and amid the struggles of Francesco Bagnaia?
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