KIWI RIDER 02 2019 VOL.2 | Page 102

THE MARQUEZ SHOW RETURNS fter undergoing surgery in the off- season to rectify a recurring left- shoulder dislocation, reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez has returned to the track… sort of. With the goal of returning to racing his Honda RC213V his motivation to stick to the demanding physio regime, Marquez has returned in fine form for MotoGP pre- season testing despite the long recovery period typically associated with shoulder surgery. After first being able to use his shoulder in everyday life, ride a mountain bike and then return to training with motorbikes, Marquez jumped aboard the rather diminutive practice bike. Marquez rolled onto a track in Alcarràs, near his home in Cervera, to see if the shoulder was ready for the demands of riding a bike. “I needed this!” beamed Marquez after his first run. “I touched my elbow on the ground! He beamed. “Riders in general need to have their minds clear. At least on the trip to Malaysia, which is 14 hours long, I will be thinking I have ridden a bike, got on the brakes, felt the throttle and the clutch. We have done a few laps that have helped me to see where things are. This week we have to work on it. It was pretty much what I expected, the large force under braking – especially left-handers, where I have to support my left shoulder was problematic. That is where we have to continue working, have patience in Malaysia and get to March at full fitness.” It’s no RC213V, but the form shown by the reigning champ shows he’s still going to be a force to be reckoned with when the season fires into life in Qatar on March 10.