Marc Marquez abandons Jerez test: 'My body was locking up'

Monday's Jerez test presented Marc Marquez with his first chance to ride the 2021 Repsol Honda outside of a MotoGP race weekend.

But his battered body had other ideas.

Already well below full strength after nine months on the sidelines with a broken right arm, Marquez had also suffered two big falls during the grand prix weekend.

The Spaniard, hoping to get the all-clear from his doctors soon to start training again between races, managed just seven laps at the test before calling it a day.

“Today we didn’t really test, just one run because on the second run my body was already locking up," Marquez said.

"My neck and my right shoulder were stiff, it’s similar to after Portimao but I was not as locked up as I was after Portugal. The crash I had on Saturday didn’t help with my physical condition.

"I thought that maybe today when my body had warmed-up it would be better, and I could try but straight away I could tell I wasn’t at a good level for riding.

"We spoke as a team and decided to stop the test, we need to understand that we’re improving step by step and the next target is Le Mans where we will try to improve again."

"On Wednesday I have a doctor check," Marquez confirmed. "They will decide If I am able to increase the training at home."

After a seventh place on his MotoGP comeback in Portimao, Marquez finished ninth on Sunday, but did reduce his margin to victory from +13s to +10s.

The eight-time world champion will start the French Grand Prix 50-points behind title leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati).