Marc Marquez on track in Portimao, 'needs to decide about Qatar MotoGP'

UPDATE: Marc Marquez continues to gather information on his fitness for Qatar, by conducting a second outing on the RC213V-S at Portimao today.

The Portuguese track only joined the MotoGP calendar last season and the test will also provide the chance for Marquez to learn the circuit that will host round 3 of this year's world championship...

What will Marc Marquez do?

After finally getting the go-ahead from doctors to intensify his training, the Spaniard wasted no time in returning to the track for his first motorcycle laps since last July.

The Repsol Honda star initially tested his healing right arm on a minibike, then - after a brief trip to Qatar to receive the first Covid-19 vaccination - jumped straight to an RC213V-S at Barcelona on Tuesday.

The speed with which he switched from minibike to RC213V-S, the closest Marquez can get to a full MotoGP machine under the testing regulations, sent a clear signal that the eight-time world champion is mulling a return in at least one of the Qatar season openers, on March 26-28 and April 2-4.

No official information was released about Marquez's arm or general fitness following the Montmelo outing, but a Repsol Honda team member told Crash.net that Marquez was okay but tired, and now needs to decide about Qatar.

With Marquez requiring his second Covid vaccination, he will need to travel to Qatar again at some point in the near future.

But with a gap of at least 19 days necessary after the first vaccination, Marquez won't technically need to arrive until after the opening MotoGP weekend – unless he plans to ride at round one.

Marquez could arrive early just to support Repsol Honda and his brother Alex of course, but the team indicated the decision about whether to try and ride will be made before he boards the plane. If Marquez does not ride, HRC test rider Stefan Bradl is poised to again take his place.

Due to the possibility of side effects from the second Pfizer vaccination, it is thought MotoGP riders could opt to receive the injection after the April 4 race, rather than on the eve of the event.