Alberto Puig: "Hidden" truths about Marc Marquez's injury

Marc Marquez has returned to the elite of MotoGP. Thanks to Ducati and the Desmosedici, which managed to give him a competitive bike after difficult years with Honda. In the documentary "Volver" (Return) airing on Dazn, Alberto Puig offered a detailed look at the most critical moments of his career—those following the injury at Jerez in July 2020.

The crash on Spanish soil, in the midst of the Covid period, marked a turning point in Marc Marquez’s life. The injury to his right humerus and the management after the first surgery heavily affected his performances, and raised doubts about his ability to return as a MotoGP class champion. "His arm was hanging by a thread. He was very brave to make that decision." A gamble rewarded with the conquest of the 2025 world title, perhaps the finest of his life.

At Mugello in 2022, the multi-time champion from Cervera decided to undergo a fourth surgical operation. A necessity to regain strength and mobility in his arm before it was too late. "When he decided, ‘I have to stop to truly recover,’ he understood he couldn’t continue at the level he wanted. His arm… to put it simply, wasn’t aligned," said Honda’s team manager. "It created internal tension, loss of strength, an incorrect riding position, fatigue and pain. One lap, two laps, setting a fast time, you can do it, but a 45-minute race, with the riders there, all going fast… it was very complicated."

Marc Marquez and Honda ended their relationship at the close of the 2023 MotoGP season. A year of transition with Gresini Racing and then the leap to the factory Ducati. The RC213V had lost its former luster, while the European competition had made huge strides. "Our bike wasn’t evolving much at that time," admitted Alberto Puig. "If you’re not physically fit and you don’t have significant technical support, you can be whoever you are, but on Sunday you won’t be up front."

The documentary also highlights how Honda supported the rider during his most difficult moments—even backing his choice to change colors, without obstruction, despite a contract that had not yet expired. "He made that decision because he needed to understand whether he was still competitive. Honda was incredibly supportive at that time. They fully understood the situation, with no objections, reservations, or resistance. Honda was there for him."

YouTube Channel: CorsedimotoTV