Paris (AFP)

Marc Marquez, still recovering, has given up on 2020: the six-time MotoGP world champion, who suffered a broken right arm during the very first race this year, plans to only resume competition next season.

The German Stefan Bradl, Honda test driver, will therefore continue to act in the last two Grands Prix of the season, in Valencia (Spain) on Sunday and in Portimao (Portugal) on November 22.

"As his recovery continues, Marc Marquez and Repsol Honda confirm that he will not participate in the remainder of the 2020 MotoGP season and aim to return to competition in 2021," said his team in a statement Tuesday.

"I will not compete in races this year, writes the Spanish driver on Twitter. After reassessing the situation with the doctors and my team, we decided that the best thing to do was to come back in 2021. I must continue my rehabilitation process. Thank you for your messages of support. I can't wait to be in 2021. "

Marquez, crowned in MotoGP in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (but also in 2010 in 125 cm3 and in 2012 in Moto2), was injured by falling during the first GP of 2020 in Jerez (Spain) on July 19 and was operated on for the first time two days later.

He immediately tried to get back on the handlebars to take part in the second race on the same circuit on July 26 but had to give it up after practice.

- Domestic accident -

The plate intended to consolidate the fracture in his right humerus broke as a result of this strain and a domestic accident while trying to open a bay window, which led to the operation a second time in early August.

At the end of August, Honda had let it be known that the 27-year-old Spaniard would need "two to three months" to get back on a motorcycle, which gave hope for a recovery at the very end of a season shortened to 14 rounds (15 in Moto2 and Moto3) by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In the drivers' standings, the Spaniard Joan Mir (Suzuki), 23, is placed to succeed Marquez, with 37 points ahead of his runners-up, the French Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha-SRT) and the Spaniard Alex Rins ( Suzuki).

Spaniard Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) is at 41 lengths and Italians Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha-SRT) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) at 45 units, with a maximum of 50 points remaining to be taken.

In the absence of its top driver, Honda is more discreet than usual.

The brand is only 5th and penultimate among constructors and the official Repsol team 9th out of 11.

On the side of his drivers, Marc's younger brother, Alex, who is starting in the premier class, is 14th in the world championship but he is progressing rapidly, with two podiums in October (2nd in France and Aragon).

Bradl is 20th.

© 2020 AFP