Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) (AFP)

Marc Marquez has decided not to take part in qualifying for the Andalusia Motorcycle Grand Prix on Saturday and to save his strength for the race on Sunday if he decides to participate, his Honda team said.

The six-time Spanish world champion, and title holder, broke his right arm during the previous Spanish GP and underwent surgery on Tuesday. However, he took part in free practice on Friday and Saturday but preferred to refrain from doing so for qualifying which began on Saturday afternoon.

If he takes part in the race on Sunday, which will start at 2 p.m. local time on the Jerez circuit, he will therefore start in last position.

The first race of the MotoGP 2020 championship, whose calendar has been turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic, saw the victory of Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) on the same circuit in Jerez. It was the young f = French's first victory in the premier class and he is consequently at the top of the provisional world championship classification.

© 2020 AFP