Alex Marquez is eager to continue riding his LCR Honda at the Qatar MotoGP test despite a fractured right foot.

The HRC-backed rider was forced to conclude Thursday’s track activities early, thanks to the high-speed turn-nine highside, with the on-site medical checks confirming a 2mm crack in the fourth metacarpal of his right foot.

Marquez had spent the first couple of days working closely with the factory, testing new parts for their 2021 RC213V, before focusing on choosing his ideal race package on Wednesday. After some further set-up work as day four began, the 24-year-old was intent on improving his one-lap ‘qualifying’ pace but whilst pushing hard, the Catalan went down on the exit of turn nine, injuring his foot in the process. Both team and rider were satisfied that enough information had already been gathered to not warrant taking any further risks and the team called time on proceedings earlier than intended.

“Today we planned to do some time-attack laps and to do a full race-simulation. We tested some important things at the beginning of the day, because we won’t have those conditions during practice for the race weekend, but then when I went out for the time-attack – an area I need to improve on – I had a high-side at turn nine and I unfortunately injured my foot. Thankfully I am ok and feel good, and even though there is a small crack, I have no pain or anything like that.

“It meant that we weren’t able to do our race simulation, but we need to focus on the positives. I felt good today and even in the time-attacks was feeling really at home on the bike, so that’s a positive ahead of the GP.

“I crashed at a time when I felt better with the bike, I just try to gain in one corner where I was already fast, for example faster than the lap Pol did yesterday, but I found a little bit more and made a mistake. I need to focus on other corners where I am losing a bit more. Just to control these limits.

The determined youngster, however, hasn’t given up on the idea of completing his testing programme, explaining: “We need to now see what the doctor says. It looks like wind will be strong, but if conditions are ok and the doctor gives me the ok, then I would be the first out on track. I will try to push the doctor to ride because I feel good and I have already ridden races with this broken bone. I don’t think it will be a problem to be on the bike.

“Whatever happens, I will try to be 110% ready for the start of the season. I want to thank the whole LCR team after this first test because they have done an amazing job. I want to say sorry for the crashes this week, because I crashed many times, but this is a special track, many crashes happen and also it’s difficult to understand the hot conditions with the Medium and Hard. These things will be difficult to manage during the GP but I am confident and I felt good before the crash. I am sure that we will be stronger because of it and we have lots of positives and will be ready for the start of the season.”