Honda’s two MotoGP riders Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo went under the knife this week following the two 2018 tests.
Marquez injured his left shoulder after winning the MotoGP title in Japan while celebrating and further damaged it after multiple falls in the last few races. Despite the pain, he completed the season and also took part in the two tests in Valencia and Jerez.
The Spaniard ran well in the tests but was certain in need of a surgery to fix the shoulder ahead of the grueling 2019 season. After attending the FIM Gala in Andorra last weekend, Marquez and teammate Lorenzo were operated at different hospitals in Barcelona.
Lorenzo underwent surgery on Monday on his right foot which he injured after the fall in Aragon – when he clashed with Marquez on Lap 1. The Spaniard had to miss multiple races with further trouble to his wrist as well but returned for the finale in Valencia.
With special approval, Lorenzo was allowed to test with Honda by Ducati and he thus made his appearance for the Japanese manufacturer in the tests in Valencia and Jerez. The team had to use an all-black livery for Lorenzo and couldn’t release official images as well.
In addition, no quotes from Lorenzo were put up too in their press releases. The Spaniard was the first to be operated on Monday at the University Hospital Dexeus – Quiron Group with MotoGP regular Dr. Xavier Mir, performing the surgery.
The reigning champion Marquez was operated in a different hospital by Dr. Mir itself as the two riders now have exactly two months to rehabilitate for the first of the three-day 2019 pre-season test at Sepang circuit in Malaysia during February 6-8.
The two riders needs to be at their absolute best for the 2019 season with the threat looming from the Ducati riders along with the usual Yamahas, but even Suzuki looks like a credible challenge with the developments made by the Japanese manufacturer.