Gosselies, Belgium: Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider, Álex Márquez, has been passed fit to ride at this week’s Moto2 IRTA test in Jerez.

Márquez crashed heavily at turn five during a private test at the Jerez circuit a week ago, fracturing the triquetrum, one of the eight small carpal bones, in his left wrist. The former Moto3 World Champion had a titanium screw inserted into the bone to stabilise the fracture, with surgeons at the Hospital University Quirón Dexeus in Barcelona using keyhole surgery techniques to reduce the recovery time.

Since the surgical procedure, which was carried out under the direction of Doctor Xavier Mir just one week ago, Márquez has followed an intensive recovery plan to enable his return to action at the first official Moto2 test of the new season this week.

Álex Márquez:

“The surgery to stabilise the fracture in my wrist was only last week, so I head to Jerez still not 100% recovered, but certainly fit enough to test the new suspension and different settings on the bike. Sure, the injury will be a handicap, so I’ll need to adjust on the bike, but I think my condition is good enough that we can do a good job over the three days at Jerez.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal

“Álex’s recovery from the injury and subsequent surgery has been quicker than we expected, and that’s down to a combination of his base fitness and the skill of the surgeons at the Hospital University Quirón Dexeus in Barcelona. Obviously, with the surgery only taking place seven days ago, he’s not completely fit, but his recovery is enough that he won’t be hampered too much by the injury on the bike. Even so, we will monitor his condition closely over the three days at Jerez and we won’t hesitate to call a halt if we feel the risk starts to outweigh the benefit of him testing.”