Dorna Sport CEO Hopes Marquez Can Race In MotoGP Portugal: World Champion Opportunity Still

Repsol Honda rider, Marc Marquez. (Doc. MotoGP)

JAKARTA – Dorna Sport CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta wants Marc Marquez to recover soon and return to racing. He hopes that the Spaniard will be able to take to the track at the Portuguese MotoGP on April 24.

Marquez had a great accident at the Mandalika Circuit, on March 20. The incident caused his diplopia to recur and made The Baby Alien absent from the Argentine MotoGP at the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit on Monday, April 4.

"Diplopia does not affect Marc Marquez as badly as it did in October (2021). I hope he can race again as soon as possible. Maybe he will try at Portimo on April 24," said Ezpeleta quoted from Speedweek.

This is the third season in a row that Marquez has always missed at least one race. Marquez's absence was clearly a blow to the Repsol Honda team because their chances of becoming world champions were disturbed.

Moreover, the two closest race series, respectively in Argentina and the United States, are a golden opportunity to pursue points. At both tracks, the Spaniard emerged as the favorite standing on the podium.

Ezpeleta said Marquez should not have to think about the opportunity to become a world champion. If he should be out until Le Mans in mid-May or later, the chances are still there.

"The season is still long, we have 21 Grand Prix planned. It will also depend on the results of the other riders. If each rider wins only one race, Marc can still compete for the title if he develops the necessary consistency," said Ezpeleta.

"There are definitely more competitors now. I hope Marc Márquez can race again at Portimo. If he achieves decent results there, he has a chance to fight for the top spot in 2022," added Ezpeleta.

So far, Repsol Honda has not announced who will replace Marquez for the Argentine MotoGP. It is possible they appointed Stefan Bradl, who previously often became a substitute for the six-time MotoGP world champion.