Spain
DOHA: Marc Marquez, the youngest ever MotoGP world champion, and two-time title winner Jorge Lorenzo go into Sunday’s season-opener having spent more time in surgeries than on the track this winter.
Marquez made history in 2013, marking his rookie year with a maiden world crown at the age of 20.
But the flamboyant Spaniard suffered a broken right leg while dirt-biking just six weeks ago and admits he is nowhere near 100% for the opening race under the Qatar floodlights on Sunday.
Marquez’s accident in his native Spain meant he missed two of the winter’s three tests having set the fastest times in the opening session in Malaysia on his all-conquering Honda.
“It was very disappointing for me to miss two tests but the good news is that I’m getting better and the bone is mending,” said Marquez, who turned 21 in February.
“I’ve been exercising more, so I’ll have to see how I am in Qatar – I don’t expect to be 100%, but I will try my hardest.”
He added: “The important thing is to take some valuable points and then get up to 100% by round two in Austin.
“It’s difficult because I’ve lost over a month of training and five days ago I couldn’t even walk. I can walk now and I think if I can do that I should be ok on the bike.”
Lorenzo, the 2010 and 2012 world champion, and second to compatriot Marquez in 2013, a hairsbreadth four points behind, has also been under the knife.
The 26-year-old needed three operations to fully repair his collarbone, broken twice in 2013 at Assen and the Sachsenring.
Lorenzo finished last season with an impressive flourish, winning the final three races in Australia, Japan and Valencia. — AFP
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