Dr. Samuel Antuna, surgeon to seven-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, has revealed the true extent of the rider’s ongoing arm struggles, stating Marquez’s right arm is now functioning at only “about 50% of its capacity.”
Marquez’s 2025 Indonesian Grand Prix crash—where he suffered a complicated shoulder fracture in a collision with Marco Bezzecchi—has continued to haunt the Ducati star in 2026. Despite surgery in May to address nerve issues caused by metalwork scraping the nerve during riding, Marquez’s right arm remains significantly weaker than his left.
“The strength he could exert with his right arm was not comparable to his left,” Antuna told El Periodico. “Before the accident in Indonesia, he was doing well. He could ride, felt no pain, and didn’t complain about anything. That fall changed everything.”
While the main nerve issue has been resolved, Marquez must now manage race weekends more carefully to preserve his limited strength. Dr. Antuna explained: “He has a strong latissimus dorsi, but it is mechanically compromised. The same applies to the teres major. The main problem, however, is that he has lost strength in his biceps. That arm is very limited in strength, especially in the biceps. I’d say it’s at about 50% of its capacity.”
Antuna added that multiple surgeries have resulted in mild atrophy and altered function in the triceps, latissimus dorsi, teres major, and pectoralis major: “This is why his right arm does not have the same strength as his left.”
Despite these challenges, Marquez has still managed to win four grands prix in 2026 and reduce his championship deficit to just 19 points, highlighting both his resilience and the continued physical toll of his injuries.
