World Champion MotoGP rider and legend is on the road to recovery | Following further medical evaluation, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Márquez has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid, Spain.
The decision to operate came after the Ducati Lenovo Team rider’s follow-up examination one week after his initial diagnosis. Despite a week of immobilisation, specialists found that the coracoid fracture and ligament damage to Márquez’s right shoulder blade were not healing as expected. Concerned about possible long-term instability, the medical team—led by Dr Samuel Antuña and Dr Ignacio Roger de Oña—opted for surgical stabilisation and repair of the acromioclavicular ligaments.
Doctors had considered surgery as an option from the beginning, depending on how Márquez’s shoulder responded to conservative treatment. When the follow-up scans and clinical tests showed limited improvement, the decision was made to proceed with an operation to ensure complete recovery and avoid future complications. The procedure, performed on Friday, was described as a success, with no reported issues during surgery or early recovery.
The operation marks the latest setback in what had otherwise been a dominant season for Márquez. After clinching his first MotoGP title with Ducati and his ninth world crown overall, the Spaniard sustained the injury during the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika. While he managed to finish the weekend, post-race discomfort and swelling led to the diagnosis of a small fracture at the base of the coracoid process and associated ligament damage.
Following the initial assessment, Márquez’s doctors prescribed immobilisation and rest, ruling him out of the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix. The hope was that the fracture would stabilise naturally without surgical intervention, but a lack of sufficient bone consolidation prompted the change of approach.
Now recovering at home in Madrid, Márquez will begin a carefully monitored rehabilitation program over the coming weeks. The length of his recovery will depend on how quickly the shoulder heals and regains strength, with medical staff scheduling regular check-ups to track progress. Ducati officials confirmed that no specific return date has been set, though the rider is expected to miss at least the next two rounds.
In a brief statement issued through his management team, Márquez expressed relief that the procedure went well and confidence in the recovery plan. “The operation was successful and everything is fine. Now it’s time to rest and follow the doctors’ instructions step by step,” he said. “The goal is to come back when I’m completely fit. I want to thank everyone for their messages and the team for their support.”
Márquez’s absence leaves Ducati to rely on teammate Francesco Bagnaia and test rider Michele Pirro for the remaining flyaway races. Despite the frustration of ending his title-winning season on the sidelines, the 32-year-old remains focused on long-term health and being fully prepared for the 2026 campaign.
