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Turns out it was 8 hours, not 11. Story with lots of detail here on the operation and Marc Marquez' prospects for recovery.
https://motomatters.com/news/2020/12/03/marc_marquez_has_third_surgery_to_fix.html https://twitter.com/motomatters/status/1334614999575261186
https://motomatters.com/news/2020/12/03/marc_marquez_has_third_surgery_to_fix.html https://twitter.com/motomatters/status/1334614999575261186
Also, for the medically minded, some details of the type of operation carried out on Marquez. Has a very good track record of success. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884889/
OK, in response to a few questions, some thoughts:
1. Will Marquez come back at the same level as before he broke his arm?
Good question. I am working on the basis that he will. His mind is probably the strongest of an athlete I have seen. But we won't know until he races again
1. Will Marquez come back at the same level as before he broke his arm?
Good question. I am working on the basis that he will. His mind is probably the strongest of an athlete I have seen. But we won't know until he races again
2. I think we can unequivocally say that Marc Marquez' decision (and it was his decision) to try to race at Jerez 2, just a few days after having his humerus plated, was one of the worst choices in recent history. (Almost as bad as Andrea Iannone's 'choice of restaurant'.)
3. What does Marc Marquez' lack of recovery from the first 2 surgeries say about Dr Mir and his clinic?
Absolutely no idea. I am absolutely not qualified to make a judgement on that. Nor is anyone else, outside of a very small group of people the requisite expertise.
Absolutely no idea. I am absolutely not qualified to make a judgement on that. Nor is anyone else, outside of a very small group of people the requisite expertise.
4. Will Marquez be fit for the start of the season? Who knows.
5. Will Andrea Dovizioso replace Marquez if he isn't fit? I strongly suspect he will.
5. Will Andrea Dovizioso replace Marquez if he isn't fit? I strongly suspect he will.
6. Whose fault was it that Marc Marquez was allowed to come back so soon after his first op? First and foremost, Marc Marquez. Ultimately, it was his decision
But nobody comes out of this free of blame. HRC should have done more to stop him, so should his manager.
But nobody comes out of this free of blame. HRC should have done more to stop him, so should his manager.
7a. Do the circuit doctors bear any blame for passing him fit to ride?
There is a misconception about "fit to ride". What that means is you are not a danger to your fellow riders. But if a rider wants to endanger their long- or short-term health, that's up to them.
There is a misconception about "fit to ride". What that means is you are not a danger to your fellow riders. But if a rider wants to endanger their long- or short-term health, that's up to them.
7b. Is this a good criterion by which to assess a rider. Almost certainly not. However, motorcycle racing is itself inherently dangerous. They risk a career-ending injury every time they get on the bike. Where do you draw the line?
8a.
Are there lessons to be drawn from the Marc Marquez injury? Lots. Firstly, that motorcycle racing careers perpetually hang by the very thinnest of threads. It can all disappear tomorrow if you have a bad crash. Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey, and many more can testify.
Are there lessons to be drawn from the Marc Marquez injury? Lots. Firstly, that motorcycle racing careers perpetually hang by the very thinnest of threads. It can all disappear tomorrow if you have a bad crash. Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey, and many more can testify.
8b. Maybe it's time for riders, their managers, and teams to reassess their attitude towards injury. And I think it's definitely a good time to review the attitude of circuit/FIM doctors towards injury and rider fitness. Set the bar higher. /end (for now)
