Marc Marquez to miss MotoGP season finale in Valencia

Marc Marquez will miss this weekend’s Valencia MotoGP and Jerez test due to suffering from vision problems following his recent off-road training accident. 

Marquez, who suffered the accident ten days ago, continued to experience symptoms leading into the Algarve MotoGP before eventually being ruled out. 

Marquez was then re-examined by doctors this past Monday which led to a ‘new episode of diplopia’ being found - diplopia is a result of double vision, the same issue Marquez faced in 2011 - thus leading to the Spaniard missing out this weekend. 

A statement from Repsol Honda said: “The Repsol Honda Team rider will not participate in the Valencia Grand Prix this coming weekend, nor in the IRTA Jerez Test scheduled for November 18 and 19.

“After Marc Marquez underwent a medical examination at the Dexeus Clinic in Barcelona last Tuesday, in which he was evaluated after a fall while practicing off-road, the rider has been resting all week at his home in Cervera.

“During these days of rest, Marc has continued to feel unwell and has suffered from vision problems, which is why this Monday he was visited by the ophthalmologist Dr. Sánchez Dalmau at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, who examined him and performed the tests, which detected a new episode of diplopia.

A statement from Doctor Sanchez Dalmau also said: “The examination carried out on Marc Marquez today after the accident that occurred has confirmed that the rider has diplopia and has revealed a paralysis of the fourth right nerve with involvement of the right superior oblique muscle. A conservative treatment with periodic updates has been chosen to follow with the clinical evolution. This fourth right nerve is the one that was already injured in 2011.”

Marquez will most likely be replaced by test rider Stefan Bradl, who stepped-in for the eight-time world champion in Portimao.

The Spaniard’s absence will mark the fourth MotoGP race he’s missed this year, as he now switches his focus towards making a full recovery for the 2022 season.

These are hard moments, it seems that when it rains, it pours. After visiting Dr. Sánchez Dalmau, a new episode of diplopia (double vision) was confirmed like 2011. We need patience but if I have learned one thing it's to face adversity with positivity. Thanks for your support! pic.twitter.com/bRN5yop37u

— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) November 9, 2021