Marc Marquez will miss the third round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship at Circuit of The Americas as he continues his recovery from a hand injury, his Repsol Honda team have confirmed.

The Spaniard fractured his metacarpal in a collision with RNF Racing Aprilia’s Miguel Oliveira during the season-opening Portuguese MotoGP at Portimao.

Necessitating surgical intervention immediately after the injury was diagnosed, Marquez - having already skipped round two in Argentina - has been undergoing scans since in an effort to get back in action at the Grand Prix of The Americas this weekend.

However, according to the team, Marquez’s final CAT confirmed the injury is still healing, with the decision taken not to aggravate it further by competing in Austin.

“Following a final CAT scan, Marc Marquez and his medical team, led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña, at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid have confirmed the first metacarpal is still in the healing process,” read a statement from Repsol Honda.. 

“After close collaboration with the Repsol Honda Team and HRC, all involved have elected to let the injury fully heal and avoid any unnecessary risks.

“Marquez will continue to work through his rehabilitation program at home in order to return at full fitness as soon as possible.”

One out, the other a doubt for COTA MotoGP?

Missing the Texan round of the season will be seen as a blow for Marquez, who has cultivated an exceptional record at COTA over the years. In nine MotoGP appearances, Marquez has won at the venue on seven occasions.

Repsol Honda hasn’t communicated whether Marquez will be replaced though Stefan Bradl - who has deputised for the Spaniard on several occasions since 2020 - is a likely candidate.

There is also no guarantee that Repsol Honda will have either of its full-time riders in Austin with Joan Mir also a potential doubt following an accident in the Argentina MotoGP Sprint Race that forced him out of the main feature.