Repsol Moto2 rider Marc Marquez has been forced to withdraw from today's race at the Sepang MotoGP round after failing to pass a medical before morning warm up.

The Spanish wunderkind is still suffering the effects of a massive highside at the start of free practice one on Friday, which also saw the end of Bradley Smith's challenge, and the subsequent shoulder and neck damage proved too much for medics at the track today. He is also sporting a patch over his right eye.

"Despite two consecutive hard falls in Australia and here, my focus and passion is 100% and we will look forward to Valencia," he said.

Marquez didn't turn a wheel until he went out in yesterday's qualifying session and even then, he did just enough to get inside the 107% time and was then whisked away on a scooter by team boss Emilio Alzamora after complaining of a stiff neck.

Championship rival Stefan Bradl, meanwhile, will be stroking his white cat. The German leads Marquez by three points and can bag the world title if he wins today's race. It will give him a 28 point lead with only 25 left on the table at Valencia.