BRADL REPLACES MARQUEZ FOR BRNO

Stefan Bradl replaces Marc Marquez for Brno

Factory Repsol Honda MotoGP test rider Stefan Bradl will replace the injured Marc Marquez in this weekend’s Czech Grand Prix.

By DAN McCARTHY

After undergoing a second surgery on Monday on his fractured humerus Marquez and the HRC team decided it was best for the Spaniard to sit on the sidelines away from the action this weekend at Brno.

Marquez and the team feel that missing this round will help the Spaniard recover faster and get on the pace sooner which could be important in the condensed championship. However failing to score points in the first three races leaves the 27-year-old with a slim chance of defending his crown.

The Brno round is the first of a triple header that is concluded by two consecutive weekends at the Red Bull Ring in Austria

Former Moto2 champion Bradl will step in as a replacement rider for Team HRC as he did in three races last season for the injured Jorge Lorenzo.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Bradl has performed limited laps on the bike this year but is confident he is fit enough to hop back on without any dramas.

“First of all I want to wish Marc a speedy recovery, what he did in Jerez was incredible and he showed that he has the true spirit of a champion,” Bradl said.

“I am looking forward to riding the Honda RC213V again, due to the global pandemic we have not been able to test as we would normally, so it will take some time to adjust to the bike and MotoGP again but I have ridden the superbike a few times so I know my fitness is good.

“It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to, competing with the Repsol Honda Team is always a great honour and I am pleased to help Honda. Let’s see how the weekend goes.”

Bradl has a good history at the Czech venue, from his seven MotoGP starts at Brno he has never finished outside of the points and claimed three top 10 finishes.

When the German replaced Lorenzo at the circuit in 2019 he scored a solitary point finishing in 15th position while Marc Marquez won the race by 2.45s. This year Bradl’s teammate will be Marc’s brother reigning Moto2 champion Alex.

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