Johann Zarco is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering serious knee injuries in the Catalunya MotoGP, with LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello estimating a “couple of months” recovery following upcoming surgery. Zarco sustained anterior and posterior cruciate ligament damage, as well as a medial meniscus injury, after a crash during the race restart left him tangled with Pecco Bagnaia’s Ducati.
“I had a personal talk with the doctor who will make the surgery in a few days… He said that he has no doubt Johann will be back at 100%,” Cecchinello told MotoGP.com. “But it’s a couple of months, definitely. Physiologically there is a certain time that you cannot speed up.”
The exact recovery timeline will be determined after the operation. Former LCR rider Cal Crutchlow has been called in to replace Zarco at this weekend’s Mugello round.
Meanwhile, Alex Marquez is also absent from the Italian Grand Prix as he recovers from back injuries sustained in a major Catalunya crash. Gresini manager Michele Masini confirmed Marquez will be re-evaluated in two weeks, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro stepping in for the weekend.
Both Zarco and Marquez will be focused on full recoveries as their teams adapt to enforced midseason changes.
