Marc Marquez’s latest gym photo gave fans a clear look at the injuries his body has been carrying. It also caught the attention of two of his biggest title rivals, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
The photo showed the damage around Marquez’s right arm and shoulder. The reigning MotoGP champion has gone through seven surgeries, with his latest operation coming in May. His surgeon previously described him as riding with “one and a half arms.”
Martin admitted the photo showed just how much Marquez has been through.
“Yeah, I saw it on Instagram,” said title leader Martin, who also knows what it is like to deal with serious injuries. He missed most of the 2025 season and competed in only seven Grands Prix.
“For sure you see the impact [on his body] in the image.
“But our sport is like this.
“We all have different [injuries]. I don’t know exactly what Marc has, or how much it is affecting him.
“I think we all have pain – well, maybe not all, but speaking for myself, I have some issues.
“But this is our sport. We love it even with these things, and that’s why we continue fighting.”
Martin can relate to what Marquez is going through. He has had his own share of injuries and knows how tough it is to keep racing when your body is not at 100%.
Bezzecchi knows that feeling too. He missed races this season after a crash at the German Grand Prix in July left him needing surgery on his collarbone and knee.
For him, the risks are simply part of racing motorcycles at this level.
“Unfortunately, this is MotoGP. It’s what we love to do, but our sport is dangerous, so everybody gets hurt,” Bezzecchi said.
He also acknowledged what Marquez has managed to do despite the condition of his body.
“We all know the condition of Marc and his talent to do what he does with the injuries.
“But in the end it’s our sport. So we accept it.”
Bezzecchi and Marquez have had their share of incidents on track too.
The two collided on the opening lap at Mandalika last year. The crash left Marquez needing surgery and ruled him out of the final races of the season.
And for Marquez, that was not the end of the injury problems. The crash also dislodged a bone fragment and screws. That eventually led to another operation in May, this time to deal with issues involving the radial nerve.
That makes the latest photo particularly striking. It shows the physical price Marquez has paid while continuing to compete at the front of MotoGP.
For Martin and Bezzecchi, though, the message is fairly simple. They know how dangerous the sport can be, but they also understand why riders keep coming back.
As Bezzecchi put it, “this is MotoGP.”
