Marquez and Bastianini take a break, Bradl and Pirro step in
This year’s Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, the third round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, will be without Marc Marquez and Enea Bastianini. Both riders will need to heal from their injuries, while Stefan Bradl and Michele Pirro will step into their shoes.
Marquez’s injury requires further healing
Following a final CT scan at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid, Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña’s medical team confirmed that Marc Marquez’s first metacarpal has not yet fully healed. Marquez will therefore continue his rehabilitation program at home in order to get fit again as soon as possible.
Mir and Bradl will fight for the Repsol Honda Team
Joan Mir will compete for the Repsol Honda Team together with Stefan Bradl. The team is aiming to make amends at the Circuit of the Americas and build on previous successes. The 5.51-kilometer track has been a good place for the RC213V in the past, with Marc Marquez unbeaten here seven times from 2013 to 2018.
Mir has used the week between races to recover from his serious crash in the sprint race in Argentina. He is determined to have a problem-free weekend and continue his adaptation to the Honda RC213V. He achieved his best finish of the season so far here in 2022 with a fourth place.
Bradl replaces Marquez, Pirro steps in for Bastianini
While Marquez focuses on recovering from his injured right hand, Honda HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will step into his role in Austin. Bradl’s last race in Austin was in 2016, and he scored two top-5 finishes on the LCR Honda in 2013 and 2014.
Enea Bastianini will also not take part in the Americas GP as he is recovering from a shoulder injury suffered at the Portuguese GP. He will return in Jerez and will be replaced by Michele Pirro in Texas.
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