Jerez, Spain - Reigning world champion Marc Marquez of Honda broke his right arm in a crash at the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez on Sunday, his team has confirmed.
Marquez crashed at turn four with four laps to go, ending his race and injuring his shoulder in a fall where he was catapulted off his bike before bouncing off the track and into the gravel.
The 27-year-old Spaniard walked away from the crash with the help of track marshals but was clearly in pain after being hit by the bike and was later put in a neck brace before being taken to a medical centre for X-rays.
"(Marquez) suffered a ... fracture to his right humerus," Honda said in a
, adding that he would travel to Barcelona for surgery.
"MotoGP medical staff have confirmed there is no other serious head or thoracic trauma but (he) will remain under observation for 12 hours."
Honda said they are looking to have Marquez operated on on Tuesday and an update on his recovery time would be given at a later date.
The Spaniard is the third rider to suffer an injury this weekend after Suzuki's Alex Rins injured his shoulder in a fall in qualifying on Saturday, while LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow missed the race after injuring his back in a crash in the warm-up session on Sunday.
Petronas Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo won the Spanish Grand Prix for his first MotoGP victory.
The second race of the season, the Andalusian Grand Prix, will be held at the same circuit next weekend.