Marc Marquez remains in hospital, previous infection confirmed

Having undergone a third operation on his fractured right arm on Thursday (December 3), Repsol Honda has released a further update on the condition of six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez.

The Spanish star required yet more surgery after the bone, originally broken in an accident during the season-opening race at Jerez on July 19, failed to heal, a condition medically described as pseudarthrosis.

Pseudarthrosis can occur for a number of reasons, including infection of the fracture.

The latest update from Repsol Honda confirms that a previous infection has indeed been found and will now be treated 'in the coming weeks'.

'Marc Marquez’s post-operative clinical situation has been deemed satisfactory by his medical team at the Hospital Ruber Internacional, in Madrid,' said the Repsol Honda statement.

'However, the cultures obtained during the pseudarthrosis surgery have confirmed that there was a previous infection in the fracture, which will see Marquez undergo specific antibiotic treatment in the coming weeks.

'Marquez will remain at the Hospital Ruber Internacional, in Madrid.'

Marquez had the original fracture plated on July 21 but it failed due to stress accumulation caused by an attempt to return to action the following weekend. A new plate was then fitted on August 3, with the #93 saying he hoped to return by the end of the season.

As the months passed with no sign of Marquez getting back on any form of the bike it became clear the recovery was not going to plan and the third operation - lasting 8 hours and including not only a new plate, but also a bone graft - was ultimately needed.

The question now is whether Marquez will be fit for 2021, which is due to begin with pre-season testing at Sepang in mid-February. A further test is then scheduled for Qatar, scene of the opening race on March 28 (Covid restrictions permitting).